July 2024
July 1, 2024
Greetings SCRWC members and associates,
As we approach Independence Day and celebrate our freedoms, I wanted to mention a major ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court that will likely affect each of us in some way going forward.
As we all learned in civics classes, the Founders designed a representative government in which we elect people to represent our interests. Sadly, in 1984, activist judges did not show restraint when interpreting the law based on the Constitution, precedent or originalism. Instead, they just fabricated laws as it suited them. Kind of like children making it up as they go along. The Chevron deference grew out of this era. Since then, Federal agencies have decided what powers they have without oversight by Congress or the courts. This has led to explosion of rules and regulations.
Essentially, during this period, we have not been living under a representative government mostly because our elected representatives are not the ones making the laws by which we live. Instead, the agencies, all composed of unelected bureaucrats, are imposing their wills on us.
This past week the U.S. Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision, vacated the Chevron deference. The suit was brought by three fisheries in a complaint against the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency generated a new requirement that fishing companies must hire someone to act as a monitor on their vessels. This regulation would cost the fishing companies up to $700 per day! This fee sometimes exceeds their profits.
As you consider the freedoms our Founding Fathers ensured us through our Constitution, think about this decision and how it will reign in the mandates imposed upon us by unelected people whose primary interest is maintaining the bureaucracy and not necessarily serving “We the People.”
While you are celebrating this Independence Day and enjoying time with family and friends, remember how the Founders envisioned our government to be. They were brave and creative. We must always remember these courageous men and thin of them with reverence and strive to maintain their vision.
Consider the words of Peter Marshall, “May we think of freedom not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right.”
Have a wonderful and safe summer. We look forward to seeing you at our September 25th meeting.
Marilyn