Mr. Hartzell, I’m 70 and have voted in every Presidential election since I became eligible. Your comments about the Supreme Court perfectly illustrate the gravest threat to our liberties and the legitimacy of our government. It is NOT the proper role of the Supreme Court to set social policy or to write progressive (or conservative) legislation from the bench. When they do so they erode the legitimacy of their own institution and undermine the foundations of our democracy.

The only proper role for the Supreme Court is to interpret the Constitution and its subsequent amendments in light of the original intent of the founding fathers. Yes, the Constitution needs to be amended from time to time, but the document contains two ways to do so. Yes, changing social norms may call for legalization of things like abortion and gay marriage, but in order to be legitimate these changes MUST come from the legislatures.

I caution those applauding the SC for recent “liberal” amendments to the Constitution to be very careful. If you grant nine appointed men the power to make such changes in our fundamental law you also grant them to make changes you won’t like.

Almost the only thing that would get me to vote for Hillary or Donald is a sincere pledge to appoint only strict originalists to the Federal bench.