The U.S. Constitution as enforced by the Supreme Court performs a function critical to any democracy: protecting minorities from the tyranny of the majority.

What we see about to happen now is an ultimate irony. The Senate, which represents a distinct, conservative minority of American people, will most likely appoint a Justice who will facilitate tyranny against women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and others.

No healthy democracy can exist without effective checks and balances.

We’re about to find out how that works.