The Supreme Court's recent decision in Allen v. Milligan, where Alabama was granted the power to redraw district lines in the middle of an election, has sparked a heated debate about the court's efficiency and impartiality. Kyle Whitmire, an expert editorial writer, delves into the implications of this ruling, drawing a striking parallel to the infamous Jim Crow literacy tests.
Whitmire begins by highlighting the astonishing speed at which the Supreme Court operates. In the case of Allen v. Milligan, the court issued its order just 38 minutes after the deadline for the plaintiffs' responses, which amounted to a staggering 107 pages of legal arguments. This swift decision, according to Whitmire, raises questions about the court's thoroughness and fairness.
He argues that the court's efficiency might be a result of its members being skilled speed readers, but this skill, in his opinion, does not guarantee a fair and impartial judgment. Whitmire suggests that the court's decision-making process may be rushed, as evidenced by the majority's order being just one paragraph long, while the dissent was five pages long.
The author further emphasizes the political undertones of the court's actions. He believes that the court's decisions are often seen as policy-making rather than legal interpretation, which is a misunderstanding of their role. Whitmire criticizes the court for not providing the plaintiffs with adequate time to respond, which he compares to the Jim Crow literacy tests, where examiners would decide the outcome without waiting for the answer.
In his commentary, Whitmire also addresses Chief Justice John Roberts' complaint about the public's perception of the court as political actors. He argues that the court's decisions, like the one in Allen v. Milligan, contribute to this perception. Whitmire concludes by suggesting that the court's efficiency and potential bias should be a cause for concern, especially when it comes to decisions that can significantly impact the balance of power in Congress and the future of Alabama's electoral landscape.
