>>They decide cases on things like clean air and clean water -- we all breath air and drink water. A quick glance in any history book will show you lists of decisions they've made that have had huge effects on us all.

Yes, but Congress, who you still get to vote for, can undo any determination the SC makes that doesn't match popular sentiment.

IMHO what the likes of Kavanaugh bring that is being fiercely resisted, is a legalist approach to the role. Rather than an activist approach. Certainly that's how he presented himself in the unprecedented Senate process (he was subjected to more written questions than all previous SC nominees combined) and I challenge you to identify a prior ruling where he was an activist (which you profess to be terrified about) rather than a legalist.