TOO LITTLE, TO LATE: CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS AND THE CHAOS OF THE UNITARY EXECUTIVE THEORY

TOO LITTLE, TO LATE

CHIEF JUSTICE JOHN ROBERTS AND THE CHAOS OF THE UNITARY EXECUTIVE THEORY

In a world where the Constitution is supposed to reign supreme, we somehow find ourselves in a reality show where the judiciary, the executive, and the legislative branches are contestants vying for power. And let’s be honest: lately, it feels like the Supreme Court has been handing out golden tickets to contestants who think they’re auditioning for "America’s Next Top Monarch."  

Chief Justice John Roberts recently decided to chime in, offering a polite wrist-slap to Donald Trump’s ongoing disregard for judicial rulings. But let’s call it what it is: too little, too late. If Roberts were a firefighter, he’d be showing up to a house that’s already burned to the ground, holding a garden hose and asking, “Did someone call for help?”  

The real culprit here is the so-called Unitary Executive Theory—a fancy term for “the president can do whatever they want because reasons.” This theory has been lurking in the shadows of legal academia for decades, but it found its loudest cheerleader in Trump, who treated it less like a theory and more like a personalized cheat code for democracy. Spoiler alert: it’s not in the Constitution.  

Let’s get one thing straight: the Constitution is not a buffet where you pick and choose what suits your appetite. It explicitly outlines three equal branches of government—equal being the operative word here. The president isn’t a king. The Supreme Court isn’t an oracle. Congress isn’t an overpaid debate club. Each branch has its role, and none is supposed to overshadow the others. Yet here we are, with a Supreme Court that has, at times, enabled executive overreach like an overly indulgent parent handing car keys to a reckless teenager.  

And don’t get me started on Trump’s approach to court rulings. Ignoring them? Flouting them? Treating them like suggestions instead of mandates? That’s not how a president behaves; that’s how a wannabe dictator operates. Imagine if every citizen treated laws the way Trump treats court decisions. Chaos would reign! People would run red lights, skip taxes, and bring emotional support peacocks on airplanes—oh wait, some of that already happens.  

This isn’t about political parties or ideological leanings. This isn’t about red states or blue states or even purple prose. It’s about America—the United States of America—a nation built on the idea that no one is above the law. Not Trump, not Musk, not Bezos, not anyone who thinks their billions or their title grant them immunity from accountability.  

The problem is that we’ve allowed this nonsense to fester. We’ve let highfalutin legal theories like the Unitary Executive morph from obscure law school debates into real-world policies that threaten our democracy. And while it’s nice that Chief Justice Roberts has finally decided to speak up, his words feel more like a gentle nudge than the stern wake-up call we desperately need.  

Roberts’ recent comments suggest he wants to remind us that the courts are still arbiters of justice. Great! But where was this energy when the Supreme Court was busy enabling some of these very issues? It’s like building a dam after the floodwaters have already swept away the village. Thanks for trying, but maybe next time act before we need lifeboats.  

At its core, this isn’t just about Trump or Roberts or any other individual. It’s about us—the people. We’re the ones who have to demand better. We’re the ones who have to insist on respecting the Constitution and upholding the rule of law. Democracy isn’t self-cleaning; it requires maintenance, vigilance, and occasionally a good old-fashioned intervention when things go off the rails.  

We need to stop treating politics like a spectator sport and start treating it like what it is: the foundation of our shared lives as citizens of a republic. That means holding leaders accountable, rejecting authoritarian tendencies, and remembering that “nation of laws, not of men” isn’t just a catchy phrase—it’s a guiding principle.  

So yes, Chief Justice Roberts’ comments are appreciated, but they’re hardly sufficient. The time for half-measures and polite admonitions has passed. What we need now is bold action—action from the courts, from Congress, and most importantly, from us as citizens.  

Because if we don’t stand up for our democracy, who will? Certainly not those who see power as their birthright and the Constitution as an inconvenient speed bump on their road to domination. And definitely not those who think “checks and balances” is just a phrase you use when reconciling your bank account.  

It’s time to wake up, America. The Constitution isn’t going to defend itself, and democracy won’t survive on autopilot. Let’s treat this moment as a call to action—not just for Chief Justice Roberts but for all of us. And let’s remember: this isn’t about left or right; it’s about right and wrong.

What Is Unitary Executive Theory? How is Trump Using It to Push His Agenda? https://www.democracydocket.com/analysis/what-is-unitary-executive-theory-how-is-trump-using-it-to-push-his-agenda/ 

White House calls judge challenging Trump deportation order a ‘Democrat activist’ | Trump administration | The Guardian https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/19/trump-deportation-court-ruling 

Trump attacks on judges continue after statement from Chief Justice John Roberts https://youtu.be/Vz7nxur0Llc?si=bw7YpjLGt4d4oaJN via @YouTube 

THE BILLIONAIRE'S BALLOT: HOW MONEY BECAME THE MVP OF MODERN POLITICS

THE BILLIONAIRE'S BALLOT

HOW MONEY BECAME THE MVP OF MODERN POLITICS

In the grand theater of American democracy, where the stage is draped in red, white, and blue, and the actors deliver impassioned soliloquies about liberty and justice for all, there’s an undeniable truth lurking backstage: the candidate with the fattest wallet often gets top billing. Yes, folks, welcome to the United States of America, where elections are less about ideas and more about the almighty dollar. It’s hard to believe, but we’ve turned democracy into a retail system. And just like at the mall, the one who spends the most usually leaves with the prize.

Money Talks, and It Says "Vote for Me"

Let’s not kid ourselves. The correlation between campaign spending and winning is as predictable as a rom-com plot. Studies show that candidates who outspend their opponents win about 90% of the time in House races. In Senate contests, it’s a similar story. Why? Because money buys ads, consultants, rallies, and those awkward photo ops where candidates pretend to enjoy eating corn dogs at state fairs.

Sure, incumbents have a built-in advantage—they’ve already got the donor Rolodex and a head start on fundraising. But let’s not ignore the elephant (and donkey) in the room: big money isn’t coming from Grandma’s cookie jar. It’s coming from billionaires, corporations, and Super PACs with names like “Americans for Prosperity” (read: "Billionaires for More Billions"). Thanks to the 2010 Citizens United ruling, these entities can now funnel unlimited cash into campaigns, turning elections into financial arms races.

The Oligarchs’ Shopping Spree

So, what are these deep-pocketed donors buying? A better America? Hardly. They’re buying a government that works for them, not us. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane to see what their investments have yielded so far:

1. **Shipping Jobs Overseas**: Remember when America was the manufacturing powerhouse of the world? Neither do I. That’s because our oligarchic overlords decided they could make more money by outsourcing jobs to countries with cheaper labor. And voilà! Factories closed, towns crumbled, and billionaires added another zero to their bank accounts.

2. **Privatization Bonanza**: Public education? Privatize it. Healthcare? Privatize that too. Social Security and Medicare? They’re next on the chopping block. The mantra is simple: if it can be privatized and profited from, it will be.

3. **Union Busting**: Billionaires hate unions like cats hate water. Why? Because unions demand fair wages and benefits, which cut into profits. So, they’ve spent decades dismantling organized labor, leaving workers with fewer protections and stagnant wages.

4. **Tax Loopholes Galore**: Paying taxes is for suckers—or so say the ultra-rich. With armies of accountants and lobbyists, they’ve rigged the tax code to ensure they pay less than you do. Some even manage to pay nothing at all. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Meanwhile, you’re stuck wondering why your refund barely covers a week’s worth of groceries.

5. **Authoritarian Allies**: Let’s not forget their love affair with authoritarian regimes. After all, nothing says “freedom” like cozying up to leaders who suppress dissent and exploit their citizens for cheap labor.

Democracy on Life Support

Now, you might be wondering: where are our elected officials in all this? Aren’t they supposed to represent us? Well, technically, yes. But in practice, many of them are living in the pockets of billionaires like a well-trained hunting hound curled up in its master’s lap.

Once upon a time, politicians at least pretended to hide their allegiance to big money. But now? They flaunt it. Take the tech bros like Elon Musk and others who openly champion a privatized, profit-driven America where public services are relics of the past. They don’t even bother with subtlety anymore—it’s all yachts and Twitter tirades now.

The Most Expensive Show on Earth

Let’s talk numbers for a moment. The 2020 U.S. presidential election was the most expensive in history, with Democratic candidates alone spending a jaw-dropping $3.16 billion. That’s billion with a “B.” For context, that’s more than the GDP of some small countries. And what did all that money buy us? A divided nation still arguing over whether pineapple belongs on pizza.

And it’s not just presidential races breaking the bank. Congressional campaigns are also ballooning in cost, making it nearly impossible for candidates without billionaire backers to compete. It’s like trying to win Monopoly when someone else owns Boardwalk, Park Place, and half the railroads before you even roll the dice.

What Can We Do?

So, how do we fix this mess? Campaign finance reform would be a good start—perhaps limits on donations or public funding for elections. But good luck getting that passed when the people who would vote on it are the same ones benefiting from the current system.

Another option is to support grassroots candidates who rely on small-dollar donations rather than billionaire sugar daddies. It’s not easy—they face an uphill battle against well-funded opponents—but every movement starts somewhere.

Finally, we need to stay informed and hold our leaders accountable. Call them out when they prioritize corporate donors over constituents. Demand transparency in campaign financing. And for heaven’s sake, vote in every election—not just the big ones.

Curtain Call

In the end, American democracy is starting to feel less like a government “of the people, by the people, for the people” and more like a Broadway production bankrolled by a handful of wealthy producers. The rest of us? We’re just the audience—paying for overpriced tickets and hoping for a happy ending.

But here’s the thing about democracy: it’s not a spectator sport. If we want to reclaim it from the clutches of billionaires and Super PACs, we need to get off the sidelines and into the game. Otherwise, we’ll find ourselves living in a neo-feudal society where the rich call all the shots and the rest of us are just serfs scrolling through TikTok during our lunch breaks.

The choice is ours—wallet or ballot? Let’s make it count.

THE UNITED STATES OF OLIGARCHIA https://open.substack.com/pub/ru4people/p/the-united-states-of-oligarchia?r=kja7f&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false