Americans are losing faith in the Supreme Court. Here are three big reasons why | Opinion

Supreme checks

Americans are losing faith in our Supreme Court, and it’s easy to see why.

The nine justices are the only federal judges not bound by a code of ethics. It’s up to the justices to self-police on ethical issues, and they want to keep it that way.

That’s why nothing happened when Justice Clarence Thomas didn’t recuse himself from cases involving the Jan. 6, 2021, U.S. Capitol insurrection that could have directly implicated his wife. That’s why nothing happened when America found out Justice Samuel Alito more than likely leaked the Dobbs decision about reproductive health care to antiabortion activists. And that’s why nothing happened when it was revealed that Chief Justice John Roberts’ wife has earned millions recruiting attorneys for law firms with business before the Supreme Court.

It doesn’t have to be this way. Congress has a duty to act as a check on the Supreme Court and restore faith in our judicial system. It can do that by creating a code of ethics for the Supreme Court.

The highest court in the land should be subject to the highest standard. It’s time to demand that Congress hold the Supreme Court accountable.

- Sarah Schofield Wimberley, Independence

Holding hostage

I am infuriated at the fact that House leadership is threatening to tank our economy, which could lead to the stock market crashing among other devastating effects, including but not limited to thousands of people losing their jobs.

Republicans are holding our economy hostage by attaching stipulations to raising the debt ceiling. As a condition for allowing the U.S. to pay its bills, the House plan includes slashing dozens of services, such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Medicaid, housing assistance and preschool and child care services. These cuts would harm tens of millions of people who are already struggling to make ends meet, keep a roof over their heads and put food on the table.

The economic pressure that most middle- and lower-income families are enduring would become significantly worse if the House does not agree to drop the provisions to cut these programs and refuses to raise the debt ceiling. It is cruel for the House to play these games on the backs of the American people.

I strongly urge President Joe Biden and congressional leaders to reject the House’s cuts to anti-poverty programs and pass a clean debt ceiling immediately.

- Carri Drake-Simpson, Kansas City

Get kids offline

Recently, the media have focused on the negative effects of social media exposure on the mental and physical health of teenagers. Although this is important, we also should focus on the use of smartphone and tablet screens by children under 2. It seems to be everywhere: in the grocery store, on walks and during my visits with patients.

Screen time is not developmentally appropriate for young children. Their brain development is based on reciprocal interactions with people and toys that react to what they are doing, which screens can’t provide. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, there has been recent progress in creating electronic apps and programs that try to mimic this interaction, but not many are available yet, and, too often, the ones we have misrepresent how educational they really are.

Here are some tips relating to screen time for children under the age of 2:

• Focus on talking and playing directly with your child instead of watching screens.

• If you find the need to use screens, watch with your child and pause often to talk about what is being shown.

• Model limited screen use by limiting your own.

If you have questions, talk to your pediatrician.

- Lauren Arney, Kansas City, Kansas

Honor mothers

Mother’s Day is upon us, and if you have a mom who tried her best and loved you, send a card, visit her, treat her to dinner or make some other personal gesture.

Many of us didn’t have June Cleaver for a mother. I love my mom.

- Margaret Kensinger, Raytown