Do your research, vote based upon what the candidate has done or not done regardless of what party they are in. The is politics, not a god damned fucking football game.
I live in a state that is predominately "red". The thing is that even if you "ForceTen", or the average person votes the issue or the candidate. The bulk of the electorate is not going to be that balanced or fair. I literally watched my state vote against the "Red Side Campaign Issues" as it related to our State, but for every National issue including what gave the balance of the Supreme Court to the red side issues the state contradicted itself. So as it stood the people understood enough to know they didn't want something state wide, but they voted against it on a national level. Fucked up right?
That is because unfortunately where policy and issues on a state ballot can be easily reviewed. Those same issues at a national level are only seen in candidates. So if you vote no on every policy issue, but then choose to elect people via a straight ballot or predominately in favor of one party. You have a very good chance of contradicting yourself or your own personal belief structure. Because where you are conflicted on specific policies or are fully against something. That party leaning candidate that you voted for is going to have the same dilemma but in the eyes of self preservation and party control vote with the party they are in. Same reason that Susan Collins gave a 4 hour speech about how she was conflicted, but at the end of the day voted party line as she tends to do. Give the appearance that you are conflicted, but still vote one way 90+% of the time.
There are legitimate issues with Voting Districts, and representative demographics that for the last several years has been heavily influenced. The "Blue" side has largely ignored this and the "Red' side has attacked this in a way that precisely leads us to this very debate of should Kavanaugh have been appointed.
I mostly lean left strictly because of social issues. So yeah I'm concerned about the shift in ideology/balance of our highest court when it will weigh over the world I see and live in for the next 30+ years of my life. I also understand that some people fully have wanted this and can't wait.
So to the people in this thread If you are truly comfortable with the possibility that every issue can now be decided on party narrative alone congratulations. May you, or a family member or a close friend never get screwed or wronged to the point that what affects you is just a matter of party lines.
I had no problem with Gorsich, but I also had no problem with Garland. I do have issue with the thought that our highest court can be controlled and manipulated purely on a party whim. Especially when so much of this is driven by a leaning that at it's core is turning a blind eye to someone *cough* Trump *cough* that is the antithesis of their supposed principles.
Also if it wasn't clear I have no problem with Gorsich or any other potential right leaning justice. And I would have similar concerns in a hypothetical situation where McConnell didn't fuck over Obama's extra pick or that fantasy scenario where we would all be quiet if Hillary won. Because I would have similar concerns if the extra vote was super left leaning. Probably to a lesser extent since being liberal on most social issues it's less likely to see shit done against gays, women's contraceptive choices and so forth.
Kavanaugh was already appointed to a life term court, as it stands with the questions and character issues around him at most he wouldn't be on the highest court, so he's at level 72 on his power index instead of say 85. The chances his life was going to be totally ruined are fairly slim. Trump and the Republican side could have withdrawn Kavanaugh for the optics he presents and put a different candidate forward. The balance would be the same, but the blatant party line war would likely be less visceral and reactionary. Also, Kavanaugh would still be living his almost best life for those so concerned about his well being.
I'm going to stop because even I'm definitely in full rant mode and need to break myself.