The writer of the letter “Reject liberal Pa. Supreme Court judges” (Oct. 19, TribLive) seems to have swallowed the state Supreme Court retention blather hook, line and sinker. The “anti-retention” campaign is being spearheaded by Commonwealth Partners and financed by Jeffrey Yass. Yass is purported to be Pennsylvania’s richest citizen.
Much like Elon Musk’s failed attempt to buy Wisconsin’s Supreme Court seat, Yass is seeking to do likewise. If successful, the court will be deadlocked for two years. Gov. Josh Shapiro will have no chance to appoint replacements due to the recalcitrant Republican majority. This would effectively render the Supreme Court moot.
As to the writer’s contention that the three justices were responsible for gerrymandering our congressional districts, the opposite occurred. Pennsylvania was one of the most heavily gerrymandered states in the country. The court established a commission that produced a congressional delegation of nine Republicans and nine Democrats. This is a far cry from the previous delegation of 13-5.
He also refers to Rep. Summer Lee as a radical socialist. The people of Pennsylvania’s 14th District only wish we had a congressperson like Lee instead of the empty suit that has done exactly nothing for our district. She has been an outspoken proponent of worker’s rights, voting rights, LGBTQ rights and access to health care. But, much like “dear leader,” the writer’s apparent disdain for strong, outspoken Black women is barely disguised.
Kenneth A. Baldonieri
Latrobe