America's Largest Catholic Newspaper
Fairness was shown by the recent adoption of a resolution in the Senate that bars religious tests for federal officials aimed particularly, it seemed, at Catholic nominees for judgeships (CNY, Jan. 17).
One cannot, however, overlook the fact that the recent and current conservative Catholic majority on the Supreme Court has sided with corporations and the political right. In the 2010 Citizens United decision, it ruled that corporations had the same free speech rights as persons. This decision has been interpreted as a right by corporations to spend unlimited amount of money to get representatives elected to Congress who will pass legislation furthering their economic and political interests. It has resulted in increased wealth and political power for the few to the detriment of the majority and the erosion of democracy.
Labor unions have the same rights but not the economic clout of corporations to promote their interests. The conservatives in the Court have proven in recent decisions to be anti-labor, anti-equal voting rights and supportive of a corporate anti-environment agenda.
Humanity took a giant step backward with the liberal court’s 1973 Roe v. Wade decision permitting the taking of life in the womb, and the conservative court’s 2010 Citizens United decision allowing for the destroying of life outside the womb.
