Law and Politics

… Just think back two years, to the run-up to the Supreme Court’s argument and decision in the Affordable Care Act case. Pollsters wanted to know whether people expected the justices to base their decision on “ideology” or “law.” Presented with this either-or choice, most said ideology while a smaller […] Read more »

The Right to Vote

It is becoming increasingly obvious that the Supreme Court decision in Shelby County v. Holder, which eviscerated the Voting Rights Act, is leading to a new era of voter suppression that parallels the pre-1960s era—this time affecting not just African-Americans but also Hispanic-Americans, women, and students, among others. The reasoning […] Read more »

Faith in DC hits a low; 83 percent disapprove of Congress

The American public’s dissatisfaction with Washington has reached new heights, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, as the political world continues to fight the same intractable battles over the budget, health care and immigration. A whopping 83 percent of Americans disapprove of Congress’ job, which is an […] Read more »

Approval of Supreme Court Near All-Time Low

After an important term in which the U.S. Supreme Court made landmark decisions on cases involving voting rights, gay rights, and affirmative action, the institution’s approval rating has declined to its lowest level since June 2005. Forty-three percent of Americans now approve of the Supreme Court, down six percentage points […] Read more »