"A" PLUS DISCUSSION

It can be argued that, with Justice Brett Kavanaugh replacing Justice Anthony Kennedy on the Supreme Court, the court will continue to shift towards more conservative views. On the other hand, the Supreme Court is known to be volatile and could shift towards more liberal views. Which direction do you think court will lean, and why? 

ANSWER THE ABOVE DISCUSSION AND THEN REPLY TO MY CLASSMATE RESPONSE TO THE ABOVE QUESTIONS AND EXPLAIN WHY YOU AGREE? (A MINIMUM OF 125 or MORE WORDS EACH)

                                CLASSMATE'S RESPONSE

When considering the replacement of Justice Anthony Kennedy by Justice Brett Kavanaugh in the U.S. Supreme Court, it is an opinion that the U.S. Supreme Court will continue the shift toward conservatism. The political agendas of those in positions having the ability to make judicial rulings have a much greater influence on public policy than public or personal opinion when conservative or liberal views are considered, developed and implemented (Gau, 2018).

According to Gallegos (2018), the decisions of Justice Kavanaugh exacted while in his previous judicial positions reflected very strong conservative views on abortion, health care, and gun control. Additionally, the appointment of Justice Kavanaugh firmly established the majority of the U.S. Supreme Court as being conservative. Conversely, Justice Kennedy is a libertarian who has historically been a staunch supporter of liberal views (Anthony, n.d.). Accordingly, the addition of a justice having a conservative perspective and the loss of a justice having a liberal perspective would suggest a shift in the court leaning more toward a conservative standpoint would occur. As such, it may be surmised that the majority of sitting justices being conservative may result in the imparting of decisions that are more supportive of conservative values and views and fewer decisions supportive of liberal values and views (Gallegos, 2018).  

                                                      References

Anthony M. Kennedy. (n.d.). Oyez. Retrieved from https://www.oyez.org/justices/anthony_m_kennedy

Gallegos, A. (2018, November 1). Experts: Kavanaugh may have lasting impact on health care. Family Practice News, 48(17), 47. Retrieved from https://link-gale-com.libraryresources.columbiasouthern.edu/apps/doc/A567633572/AONE?u=oran95108&sid=AONE&xid=767d1b57