From the News
290 – Illinois Gun Tax Case
I usually cover cases involving the Constitution of the United States. Today however, I am looking at a case out of the State of Illinois involving that state’s constitution and the question of county gun and ammo taxes. While the appellant’s complaint argues that these taxes violate the both Article I, Section 22 of the Illinois Constituiton and Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, the Illinois Supreme Court instead focused on the taxing power of the county. While Cook County gun owners may be happy with the outcome, as a constitutional scholar I find the majority opinion woefully lacking.
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287 – Privacy vs Government Interest
Most Americans believe they have a right to privacy. Many Americans want governments to protect them from “bad actors”. What happens when our right to privacy collides with our desire for government to protect us? A recent Supreme Court case out of California involves the question of how far government can go to protect us. Specifically, is it necessary for governments to collect data about citizens in order to find criminals? As William Pitt (the Younger) said “Necessity is the plea for every infringement of human freedom.” While this case deals with California law, we should be asking bigger question. Does “government interest” trump our rights and the Constitutions of our states and the United States?
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286 – Is Transgenderism Contagious?
A recent case out of the Court of Appeals of the State of California brings up some interesting questions. First, does someone have the legal right to tell you how to refer to them? Second, does a mental disorder give someone the legal authority to infringe on the rights of others. The opinion in this case shows the irrationality of both the transgender activists and the judicial branch. Which leads me to a question, is the mental confusion we call transgenderism contagious?
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285 – Promoting Freedom or Just Another Form of Tyranny?
Many people have pointed to Florida as an example of a state protecting the rights and liberty of its citizens. They point to the state’s responses to COVID and Big-Tech as examples of not just upholding the rights of those in the Sunshine State, but specifically the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis. Meanwhile, an objective look at some recent legislation and executive actions shows that when it comes to rights and liberty, not all in Florida is sunshine.
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282 – Texas v. Roe
The recent Texas law SB8 has been described as an attack on the right to abortion. The case challenging the law, Whole Woman’s Health et al, v. Austin Reeve Jackson, Judge, et al, has become a lightening rod for abortion activists. Referring to the law as both extreme and a blatant violation of constitutional rights, President Biden has been one of the chief spokesmen opposing this law and the decision of the Supreme Court. By going to the original documents we can cut through the hype and understand the truth, not only about the law but the court’s opinion as well.
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280 – Eviction Moratorium Fiasco
There has been a fair amount of focus lately on the CDC eviction moratorium, including court findings and the fact that President Biden ignored them. By doing some research, we can find out the facts of this case, including the good, bad, and ugly when it comes to the constitutionality of the different actions. Let’s take a look at those details, and determine for ourselves what we should do about it.
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279 – Eminent Domain or Theft?
Are you familiar with eminent domain? Do you know where that is authorized in the Constitution of the United States? Do you know the requirements and limitations of eminent domain? A recent case out the Supreme Court shows just how dangerous it is for We the People to not know what the Constitution says. According to this court, not only does Congress have the authority to use eminent domain, but to authorize private companies to use that power for their own private gain. Sadly, not only the courts, but most Americans believe that it’s legal.
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278 – Arizona Voting Integrity Laws
There have been a lot of claims lately that all voter integrity laws from republicans are racist while all from democratic are a move toward free and fair elections. Beyond the partisan propaganda, a recent case at the Supreme Court asked the question, was Arizona’s election laws racist? Specifically does the out-of-precinct policy or ballot-collection law violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
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