9th Circuit court rules in favor of Northern Marianas Islands immunity

[TexasTowelie]

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that the Commonwealth or its agencies cannot be sued on claims arising under Commonwealth law in federal court without its consent.

The Ninth Circuit’s decision was made in Ramsey v. Muna, a suit filed by physician Gary Ramsey who had worked at Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.

“The ruling represents a significant victory for the Commonwealth, as it corrected a longstanding injustice in the unequal treatment of the Commonwealth compared to every other member of the United States political family,” Attorney General Edward Manibusan said. “The [Appeals] Court has recognized the Commonwealth’s sovereign immunity as to claims under Commonwealth law.”

Before this ruling, the Commonwealth was the only state or territory in the union which did not enjoy sovereign immunity from federal suits based on its own laws.

Read more: http://www.saipantribune.com/index.php/9th-circuit-court-rules-favor-nmis-immunity/

[joet67]

1. Sounds to me like they should also "enjoy" two senators and at least one congressman.

Just like all our jurisdictions should. (Thinking of DC and Puerto Rico for starters).

[TexasTowelie]

2. That is why I post news about the six territories

that are represented at the Democratic National Convention. Those territories deserve a say in the governance of their country.

With the large population in Puerto Rico it would mean seven more electoral votes. Considering that all of the territories lean Democratic it would add about 20 electoral votes and would have tightened the race for this year to less than 20 electoral votes--or one state in the Rust Belt.

[joet67]

3. Thank you for doing this. And also for the information about the political leanings.

I wasn't aware, but it sounds good. I would have said the same regardless, just for the principle of it.

[Hortensis]

4. The Kochs would love that. Compared to the main continent,

couldn't take much investment to shift the thinking of a few islands, supplemented by some generous government largesse (our taxpayer dollars at work), and their senators could guarantee the Republicans never lost control of the senate.

Theoretically, their cumulative effect on the electoral college could also be significant. After all, the EC makes the votes of low-population states count up to multiple times those of high population--where, like, most Americans actually live.

How about proportional representation, 1 man 1 vote for everyone everywhere who are also willing to accept the fiscal and legal responsibilities of full citizenship? (Many don't want it, of course.) And, yes, little islands would get the short end of that stick.

[joet67]

6. Thank you. I see. Having thought about this a little, I guess I see the downside. nt

[modrepub]

5. Repeal the Electoral College

and count all votes from US citizens and we won't have this problem. Not opposed to actual representatives but it would kind of skew things since some of our territories are quite small population wise.