Original Intent: The Battle for America

Original Intent is a judicial philosophy promoted by President George W. Bush and Supreme Court Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas. Originalists believe the U.S. Constitution should be interpreted in the way the Founding Fathers understood it in 1789 -- an era when only white men were allowed to vote and slavery was legal. Others believe the Constitution was crafted in broad, open-ended language and that its meaning evolves over time. The film argues that the far right is using originalism as a cover to advance a radically conservative political agenda. With the appointments of Justices Roberts and Alito, the balance of the Supreme Court shifted dramatically to the right. Many laws that are considered fundamental rights can be overturned, particularly laws that protect civil rights, voting rights, affirmative action, reproductive rights, privacy, and sexual freedom. Interviewees include Robert Bork, Alan Dershowitz, Edwin Meese, Senator Alan Simpson, and leading scholars.