Executive orders - Tom Clancy [310]
Isn't that idealistic?
What's wrong with idealism? Ryan asked in return. At the same time, what about a little common sense once in a while? Instead of a lot of people chiseling for advantages for themselves or whatever small group they represent, why can't we all work together? Aren't we all Americans before we're anything else? Why can't we all try a little harder to work together and find reasonable solutions to problems? This country wasn't set up to have every group at the throat of every other group.
Some would say that's the way we fight things out to make sure that everyone gets a fair share, Plumber observed.
And along the way, we corrupt the political system.
They had to stop for the crew to change tapes on their cameras. Jack looked longingly at the door to the secretaries' office, wishing for a smoke. He rubbed his hands together, trying to look relaxed, but though he'd been given the chance to say things he'd wanted to say for years, the opportunity to do so only made him more tense.
The cameras are off, Tom Donner said, settling back in his seat a little. Do you really think you can bring any of this off?
If I don't try, what does that make me? Jack sighed. The government's a mess. We all know that. If nobody tries to fix it, then it'll just get worse.
Donner almost felt sympathy for his subject at that point. This Ryan guy's sincerity was manifest, as though his heart were beating right there on the sleeve of his jacket. But he just didn't get it. It wasn't that Ryan was a bad guy. He was just out of his depth, just as everyone else said. Kealty was right, and because he was right, Donner had his job to do.
Ready, the producer said.
The Supreme Court, Donner said, taking up the questioning from his colleague. It's been reported that you are now looking over a list of prospective justices for submission to the Senate.
Yes, I am, Ryan replied.
What can you tell us about them?
I instructed the Justice Department to send me a list of experienced appeals-court judges. That's been done. I'm looking over the list now.
What exactly are you looking for? Donner asked next.
I'm looking for good judges. The Supreme Court is our nation's primary custodian of the Constitution. We need people who understand that responsibility, and who will interpret the laws fairly.
Strict-constructionists?
Tom, the Constitution says that the Congress makes the law, the Executive Branch enforces the law, and the courts explain the law. That's called checks and balances.
But historically the Supreme Court has been an important force for change in our country, Donner said.
And not all of those changes have been good ones. Dred Scott started the Civil War. Plessy v. Ferguson was a disgrace that set our country back seventy years. Please, you need to remember that as far as the law is concerned, I'm a layman-
That's why the American Bar Association routinely goes over judicial appointments. Will you submit your list to the ABA?
No. Ryan shook his head. First, all of these judges have already passed that hurdle in order to get where they are. Second, the ABA is also an interest group, isn't it? Fine, they have a right to look out for the interests of their members, but the Supreme Court is the body of government which decides the law for everybody, and the ABA is the organization of people who use the law to make a living. Isn't it a conflict of interest for the group which makes use of the law to select the people who define the law? It would be in any other field, wouldn't it?
Not everyone will see it that way.
Yes, and the ABA has a big office here in Washington, and it's full of lobbyists, the President agreed. Tom, my job isn't to serve the interest groups. My job is to preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution to the best