The Hill News

We live in a world driven by instant knowledge and information. Gone are the days of having to travel far and wide to see a loved one; you can Skype with them on your iPhone. Instead of trekking across the country for a business meeting, you can video-conference. No more waiting for the 5 o’clock newscast to hear the stories of the day because the news is available 24 hours. Technology has made it possible for information to be at our fingertips anytime and anyplace with few exceptions, notably the Supreme Court. This week the Supreme Court is hearing six hours of oral arguments on the constitutionality of the president’s healthcare law. The Supreme Court will make public same-day audio recordings of the arguments, but that does not go far enough.
 
The Supreme Court is the most powerful court in the world. The nine individuals who don the black robe rule on the most important constitutional matters. They decide on the law of the land, and their decisions a! ffect every single American. However, very few citizens will ever have the chance to actually watch the court in action because seating in the courtroom is limited.
 
This week, the High Court is in the middle of oral arguments on the president’s healthcare law. Only a select few are able to watch as the court allows very limited seating for the general public. The American people deserve an all access pass to watch this historic case that will impact the entire nation. Public interest in this case is high, and it is important that people trust the final outcome. Being limited to the court creates an illusion of secrecy. Allowing citizens to see the government in action is necessary at a time when public trust of the federal government is at an all-time low.

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