Democratizing the Court

[Eugene Volokh]

        Didn't Clarence Thomas grow up fairly poor, or at least not far out of
"level"?  I seem to recall hearing that he had.  Also, have any of the other
Justices grown up in modest circumstances?  Or is the claim that something
more than that is required for "levelling"?

        Eugene

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Discussion list for con law professors
> [mailto:CONLAWPROF at listserv.ucla.edu]On Behalf Of Jeff Renz
> Sent: Monday, September 10, 2001 12:17 PM
> To: CONLAWPROF at listserv.ucla.edu
> Subject: Democratizing the Court
>
>
> There have been, over the past months, a number of notable comments
> about the Court being "out of touch."  I think that this is true, having
> observed and participated in arguments there.  I have been thinking
> about why.  One thing that I note is that few of the Justices have had a
> levelling experience.  For example, only C.J. Rehnquist and J. Stevens
> served in the military.  (J. Kennedy had some N.G. experience, as a
> lawyer.)  I don't think any member of the court rode a freight to get to
> law school.
>
> In short, none, save perhaps Rehnquist and Stevens, have suffered
> hardship with their fellow men and women.
>