"Pride...

... goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." Although these words come from Proverbs 16:18, the sentiment is common to most religions and cultures. Few things are more prideful than "relentless freedom from doubt", the words chosen by Chief Justice John Roberts to describe both the ruling and the dissent in the Dobbs v Jackson Women's Health Organization decision. But it is the conservative majority that has taken certitude to a new level. That the Roe v Wade decision was "egregiously wrong from the start" is difficult to accept given that it has been upheld by the Court for almost fifty years with the majority of justices over those years being Republican appointees. While nominees from both sides have had to tap-dance around various issues at their confirmation, the subterfuge resorted to by Justice Alito at his hearing in response to questions about Roe casts significant doubt on his sincerity in this ruling. Be that as it may, the outcome of the Kansas referendum on the issue of abortion suggests the public is not going to take this ruling lying down.

The other example of excessive pride in our politics is the fact that a significant number of Republican candidates seem to have decided to side with former President Trump in their denial of the result of the 2020 election even though so many of them won. The idea that an election in which you lost must have been rigged is probably the ultimate in hubris. That so many were willing to march on the Capitol on 1/6 and so many more continue to express their support for these ideas with their money and their votes is mind-boggling.

I believe that the people supporting such positions are in the minority. The rest of us cannot wait for biblical admonishments to be borne out. It is imperative that we do everything in our power to make our voices heard. We have many options in this regard. Those who can do so should support progressive candidates with campaign donations. The others should support such candidates by volunteering their time. The Kansas referendum is just one example of what can be achieved by people determined to be heard. And that means - VOTE!