The best defense is a good offense. Instead of fighting on their turf, we could be fighting on our turf. I'm not sure how many other cliches I can think of, but the point of what I'm trying to say is that there is a war on women, women's health, autonomy and reproductive freedom. Forced ultrasounds, no exceptions at all for abortions, continued pay inequity, and a Congress where women are chronically under-represented. Rather than sit back and allow these attacks on women's rights and health, we should be pushing back not only on these invasive laws, but also launching our own counter-offensives that take resources away from the war on women and offer a possible long-term solution to impede their progress.
Wouldn't it be great to have something even close to having equal representation for women in Congress while these issues are debated instead of the just 17% in the current Senate? But how do you make something like that happen? Even if you wrote a constitutional amendment, what could it possibly say when there are 400+ districts and 50 state electorates responsible for selecting their own legislators. If there is a way to get equal representation of women in the Congress, well, I don't know of an easy way to do that.
However, there is another branch of the government that has changed in size and requirements over time. The US Supreme Court justices are selected by the President and confirmed by the US Senate. The size of the court has changed over the years in numbers of justices. Currently it is at 9 justices, and as we have all seen, has been making some quite foolish decisions in the last dozen years or so. What's to say the number of justices on the court couldn't be changed again? It can be done with an act of Congress, as the number of justices is not defined in the Constitution. We could reduce the influence of the few, and expand the court back out to 11 justices with a simple act of reform. I seem to recall a certain Democratic Presidential candidate who campaigned on changing business as usual in Washington, and this would certainly fit that bill.
And at the same time as the court expands, how about something new and exciting? Gender equity! Require Presidents to keep a balance of gender on the court. If there are 9 justices, there must be no more than 5 of any one gender. If there are 11 justices, there must be no more than 6 of either gender.
Women have shown through the millenia their ability to show empathy for others and to prioritize the best interests of families and children. No, I am not trying to stereotype. Just stating an opinion, which I do believe is widely shared. Even if I was, hopefully women don't mind being stereotyped as wise leaders.
Wouldn't it be reassuring to know that when the next abortion issue is in front of the court, that it would not be 6 men and only 3 women making the rulings? Wouldn't this be the ultimate way to make sure it is not just a group of male legislators deciding for the lady folk what they can do with their bodies?
I, for one, think it would have a profound impact on both the decisions of the Supremes and even for the restrictions that states and Congress attempt to pass.
President Obama, something new for your reelection campaign to consider.