Ron Williams

Pennsylvania Furnace

Next Tuesday’s ballot includes choices about whether to retain our current Justices on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. Each involves an important decision. Perhaps the most critical choice, however, is the one that guides those decisions. It is the choice we are making about the kind of America we want to live in.

Are we a people who still value our civil rights? How important to us is living in a democracy with free and fair elections? How invested are we in ensuring that everyone has access to basic healthcare? Is it okay if our elected leaders are blatantly corrupt? Above the law? Are we willing to accept a military/paramilitary presence used against us in our streets? Do we care if our national security is at risk because prominent government positions have been filled with inexperienced and incompetent leaders?

Granted, state courts are not the first to deal with what we generally consider to be ‘federal’ issues. However, many federal issues end up having ramifications which have to be addressed in state courts. So…the quality of the professionals on those courts is very, very important.

PA Supreme Court rulings directly impact our daily lives, our health and well-being and our freedoms. The nonpartisan American Bar Association has recommended that all three be retained, variously referring to them as professional, respectful, fair and open-minded. In a time of monumental crises, why wouldn’t we keep justices who have served us honorably and competently for the last 10 years? Our future is at stake.