Harris , Gillibrand and Warren endorse packing the Supreme Court

[Progressive Pessimist]

I guess this is becoming a more mainstream view within the Democratic Party. In theory, I support it, but it's an idea that will almost definitely backfire after awhile. We just need to accept that the Supreme Court and our process for appointing and approving Justices is forever tarnished. Thanks Mitch! I await the day when you're made into turtle soup.

[Progressive Pessimist]

There's a very easy compromise to avoid this. Gorsuch (or Kavanaugh) steps down and is replaced by Merrick Garland OR a different Democratic appointee if Republicans have a substantive reason to vote him down.

That would be nice...but is even less likely than passing a constitutional amendment reforming the Supreme Court.

[Progressive Pessimist]

There's a very easy compromise to avoid this. Gorsuch (or Kavanaugh) steps down and is replaced by Merrick Garland OR a different Democratic appointee if Republicans have a substantive reason to vote him down.

That would be nice...but is even less likely than passing a constitutional amendment reforming the Supreme Court.

There have been a few rumors that Roberts was so mad at McConnell for destroying the Supreme Court's legitimacy that he's planning to step down once a Democratic president gets in. Personally I'm pretty skeptical, but we'll see. Getting Obama in as Chief Justice would be pretty great.

Maybe I'm just jaded, but I don't see him doing that as very realistic either. But Obama would definitely get the last laugh in that hypothetical. It would be glorious!

[Progressive Pessimist]

At this point it's become clear that both sides want to use the Court as a political weapon. I've come to the point where I think it should simply be abolished

It's been that way since its inception though, the Framers just never thought we would ever become this polarized or that their system would be exploited by an eventual Senate Majority Leader from Kentucky. But yes, with how it functions today, something significant needs to change for the good of the country.

[Progressive Pessimist]

This is a dangerous move that undermines the independence and integrity of our judiciary. The Democrats are increasingly acting like a fringe party. This declaration is declaring war on the independence of our judiciary and by extension, our system of checks and balances, and by extension, our democracy. This preposterous idea should not even be considered, I wonder if Atlas Dems and Dem leadership will do the right thing and disavow these looks and endorse Biden, Hickenlooper, Delaney, or Gabbard.

Let's calm down a little here. I'm not huge on this idea either but it is a reflection of the lack of balance in our politics. McConnell stole an appointment and violated our institutional norms first, now Democrats are looking to rectify that decision which holds consequences over millions of Americans. Not to mention that Trump tramples on our norms and institutions on a daily basis with little to no resistance from his own party.

Advocating for this idea is indeed a radical move, but it isn't out of selfishness, ignorance, or tribalism. Anyway, if they somehow manage to seize upon doing this (which is unlikely) Republicans will undoubtedly be able to pounce on the precedent and do it themselves too. The high road doesn't exist anymore.