“My judicial philosophy is straightforward. A judge must be independent and must interpret the law, not make the law. A judge must interpret statutes as written and a judge must interpret the Constitution as written, informed by history and tradition and precedent.”
(Brett Kavanaugh, nominated by Trump for the Supreme Court yesterday).

Sounds correct, sounds innocuous. But in reality Kavanaugh‘s actual record appears to favour the Oligarchy, the banning of abortion, support for party gerrymandering, skepticism about immigrants and their rights, indifference to the environment and the plight of the poor and the black, the dumbing down of schooling and the elevation of ignorance, lack of belief in global climate change and human rights, and the literal interpretation of a Constitution over two hundred years old. This is not unusual – it describes a right-wing, politicized conservative lawyer, not a man wanting to do his best for all the people.

Although Epicurus taught indifference to politics, I believe times have changed (giant understatement!) and that the future of the planet itself is at risk. It wasn’t in the 4th Century B.C. Right wing conservatives poohpooh this mamby- pamby stuff and joyfully continue the plunder and the dismantling of what democracy we have left. This is short-sighted, immoral and distressing.

All un-Epicurean. Epicureanism stands for moderation and the greater good of all people. It stands for humanism and the rights of man, not a party or a rich group of corrupt election donors and politicians on the make. It respects the poor and the excluded, amd seeks to restrain aggressive capitalism and greedy bosses.

The gulf between Left and Right is becoming too wide. The government doesn’t care; on the contrary it rejoices in the turmoil. This could end very badly, if not addressed.