John Roberts: Most Powerful Person in Washington?

The dust has settled on a very controversial Supreme Court case that dealt with a President's signature piece of legislation and a very angry American public. Many would assume that the President achieved a big victory and came out a big player in Washington were his power has doubled; but there is somebody else that has become the most powerful person in Washington and many don't know anything about the man.

The most powerful person in Washington is now the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court John Roberts.

The Conservative Anger


In 2005 Presiden George W. Bush nominated John Roberts to be the 17th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Many conservatives were elated by the pick as a homerun and felt they now had a solid person on the bench that would tow the party line and bring them everything they had wished.

If anyone had payed attention to the recent health care ruling you would think that John Roberts had committed treason to his party and country. Many conservatives believe they had the health care case in the bag and when Roberts allegedly switched his vote they felt betrayed.

However; many Conservatives missed the intention of the ruling and focused on the fact that the court didn't completely strike down the individual mandate. They miss the fact that Roberts orchestrated the biggest election issue of the 2012 season. The mandate was struck down under the commerce clause, but upheld as a taking power. If you pay attention to the news and the campaign now you will see how this distinction has put both Romney and Obama into a tailspin.


Both camps are now dealing with the fact that the law that Obama supported and Romney "crafted" (Massachusetts) is one of the most unpopular laws in recent history. Roberts made sure that it was understood that we must face our mistake of who we elect and can't rely on the court to solve all of our bad problems that we put ourselves into.

The Liberal Anger


Most would assume that the liberals were happy with the decision by Roberts on the health care ruling, but they too are going crazy on two fronts. First, they know that Roberts is not one of theirs. Secondly, they are now defending the law as a tax, and at the same time trying to convince the public that the mandate is not a tax but a penalty.

John Robers put them into a tailspin as well and they hate him for the fact.

Powerful Individual


Many pass the Supreme Court off as the weakest branch of government and only care about the work they do when it comes to a decision that enflames the passion of the American people. If the courts docket was full of Abortion, Guns, and Health Care cases then the American people would care about the court, but we know that is not the case.

John Robers did something that we Libertarians do on a daily basis. We take in the best of both philosophies and put it into practice (Yes I know that Libertarianism is more than that).

With everything that happens in Washington on a daily basis we take for granted the work that the court does. Congress is corrupt, and the White House is corrupt. Approval ratings are dipping for those two branches and then we have the silent branch hiding behind the other two that can change the scope of this country with the stroke of a pen (or keyboard).

John Roberts has now earned his place in the history books with the health care ruling and has become more powerful than the President and the Congress. He now dictates the law and its meaning without really legislating from the bench. He is a force to be reckoned with and that angers both the Conservatives and Liberals in this country.