Letters: At the intersection of Scalia, Jefferson & Goldwater

Those Republicans who believe Antonin Scalia’s replacement on the Supreme Court should be an originalist or fundamentalist like Scalia should consider this statement by Thomas Jefferson in 1816:

“I am not an advocate for frequent changes in laws and constitutions, but laws and institutions must go hand in hand with the progress of the human mind. As that becomes more developed, more enlightened, as new discoveries are made, new truths discovered and manners and opinions change, with the change of circumstances, institutions must advance also to keep pace with the times.”

And those who believe Democratic intransigence is responsible for a dysfunctional federal government unable to conduct the nation’s business should consider this prescient warning from former Arizona senator and 1964 Republican presidential nominee Barry Goldwater:

“Mark my word, if and when these preachers get control of the (Republican) party, and they’re sure trying to do so, it’s going to be a terrible damn problem. Frankly, these people frighten me. Politics and governing demand compromise. But these Christians believe they are acting in the name of God, so they can’t and won’t compromise. I know, I’ve tried to deal with them.”

Barry Goldwater’s fears have been realized, and his party has morphed into an uncompromising Republican Taliban committed to imposing its religious mythology on everyone else.

This story was originally published March 10, 2016 at 12:06 PM with the headline "Letters: At the intersection of Scalia, Jefferson & Goldwater."