Ben Carson: Congress Should Oust Judges Who Rule For Marriage Equality | Right Wing Watch

Speaking last night with Iowa talk radio host Steve Deace, Carson said that Congress should “reprimand or remove” federal judges who issue “unconstitutional” rulings striking down state bans on same-sex marriage.

What the president and what the Supreme Court need to reiterate is that the states have a mechanism whereby they can determine the will of the people, it’s called ballot referendum. It has been done multiple times already, 32 states have indicated that marriage is between a man and a woman, and a few judges have come and overturned that. That, as far as I’m concerned, is unconstitutional, and Congress actually has oversight of all what they call the inferior courts, everything below the Supreme Court, and that’s where those overturns have come. And when judges do not carry out their duties in an appropriate way, our Congress actually has the right to reprimand or remove them.

After Deace alleged that a Supreme Court victory for marriage equality advocates would undermine freedom and lead to the “persecution of the church” and “open season on Christians,” Carson said Congress should intercede if the Supreme Court deems same-sex marriage bans unconstitutional.

“We certainly cannot give up if, in fact, that turns out to be the case because we do still have the Congressional mechanism,” Carson said. “And the key here in our country, values and principles cannot be drummed out of us. They’re going to try and the only way we maintain a country with values and principles is we have to be brave enough to stand up for what we believe.”

Two issues with what Carson states. First, he is ignoring the Constitutional promise of equality, saying it should be voted on. Second, Congress cannot simply remove a judge for ruling in a way the majority disagrees with. Governing by intimidation never works

And whilst pondering that, Carson, has never held an office of public trust; but at the same time he is motivated by his religion, not by a deep understanding of American political history. I am wondering what exactly does this man think he would be doing if the SCOTUS had decided to let each and every state decide if he was more than three fifths of a person? Does Jim Crow ring a bell?

All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws.

Civil rights are not up for a vote. They are dependent on the Constitution, which guarantees them.

Ben Carson: Congress Should Oust Judges Who Rule For Marriage Equality | Right Wing Watch