Trump’s victory lap has begun! In what is being called a heavy upset Donald Trump won the popular vote as well as the electoral vote to become the 45th president of the United States.
It’s easy to forget in the midst of all of the spectacle, but President Trump will have a single decision that increases Republicans relative power considerably. That decision, of course, is naming a replacement for Justice Scalia. The appointment stands to rebalance the entire Supreme Court, and the decisions made by the changed group will cause large changes in America. Here are some of the major issues the new court will consider.
Bravo-Fernandez Vs United States
This case will be ruled before a new justice is appointed, but it will be open to an overturn. Here’s the gist of the case: the defendants are appealing a court ruling that has allowed them to be retried on bribery and corruption charges that were previously dismissed. They want double jeopardy protection.
This is a precedent defining case, because it will have a heavy impact on major businesses across the country. If the ruling denies protection, it risks bogging many businesses down with increased scrutiny and prolonged court cases. Ultimately, it threatens to slow an already crawling economy.
Conversely, a ruling that does apply double jeopardy protection could limit the government’s ability to fight internal corruption cases. Either way, this is just one example of a large number of cases that may be revisited with a new justice, and that is the real issue. What can overturned rulings really do to the country?
Citizens United
In this high-profile case, the Supreme Court ruled that political spending is an extension of free speech. It protected major business rights, and it helped shape the financial situation of general politics. If overturned, this case will lay a foundation of limiting the rights of business owners and operators.
Political spending is important in shaping minor policy decisions that have major impacts on operation costs and efficiency. While this one ruling is unlikely to strangle major business by itself, it is the first step down that road. It is another case that can immediately stagnate growth, with long-term consequences that may permanently cripple a major sector of the U.S. economy.
Heller
Another famous case, this 2008 ruling upheld 2nd Amendment rights that enable citizens to be armed. What does this have to do with the economy? The U.S. firearms market exceeds $13 billion in annual revenue.
Overturning the Heller ruling limits gun ownership rights in the most drastic change in decades. While it would likely produce a short-term increase in sales, it is another case of rights restrictions that can cripple big business.
Opening this door leads to heavier restriction on gun sales and ownership, with an obvious eventual conclusion. The U.S. as it is would struggle to fill a $13 billion void in its economy.
Health Care
The Affordable Healthcare Act is still under contest. So far, it has more than doubled the cost of insurance premiums and health care in general. It has run into legal trouble every step of the way, mostly because its Constitutional legality is questionable at best.
With the election of President Donald Trump, voters can be all but assured that Trump will repeal this legislation. This will force an improved structure that actually works without gouging the pockets of working class citizens in America.
The repeal of Obamacare also has the ability to stimulate the economy. Small businesses have been struggling to pay benefits they can’t afford which has stagnated hiring and kept wages from rising. If President Trump gets rid of Obamacare in early next year after he takes office you can expect the economy to pick up tremendously by next summer.
Minimum Wage
It’s no secret that a big push for increased minimum wage is coming from the political left. Assuming a major hike is pushed through Congress and signed, it will inevitably be appealed all the way to the Supreme Court.
This is likely to be one of the biggest decisions that will be processed during Trump’s presidency. And if you study economics, you know just how scary it is. Doubling the current federal minimum wage is one of the most aggressive and reckless political ideas to emerge. Ever. It is in every way unsustainable and represents one of the biggest threats the American economy has ever seen.
~American Liberty Report
