Supreme Court Blog

The American Supreme Court was made to protect the citizens who live under the constitution, but how well can they protect us?  The historical cases this high court has seen over the years brings some of Americas biggest controversies into law.   Their interpretations of the constitution dictate our ways of life, and sets federal principles that alter the ways of our nation.  So what happens when their lawful decisions are in direct contrast of their constituents ideals?

Over the past 211 years, the court has seen 112 justices and 17 chief justices due to their lifetime appointments.  These justices hold the power to protect our constitution and to oversee that our governing bodies are staying within their bounds.  However this was not always true, the case of Marbury v. Maddison (1803) set precedent for the Court to strike down, or reverse any actions of lower courts deemed to violate our rights. 

 This major shift within how the Court operated was due to Chief Justice John Marshall. Without his guidance, the Supreme Court would not have the power and notoriety that it has today.  Famously after the unanimous vote, Marshall was quoted how "it is empathetically the province and duty of the judicial department to say what the law is."  

Prior to this case, and the many that followed, the Courts power w
as unknown and uncared for.  Although this case gave the Courts a new sense of power, the unease America was facing caused the faith and respect the American people had within the Court into question.  While America was on the doorstep of the Civil Rights era, one case would light a fire.  Dred Scott v. Sandford(1857) which indirectly told American citizens the Court could not and would not recognize the enslaved people as citizens.  This meant that even within the 'free territories' of our nation, slaves could and would not be protected under the Constitution.  

Historically, every major divide within our nations political ideals can be traced back to Supreme Court cases, including U.S. v. Nixon (1974), Bethel School District v. Fraser (1987), Roe v. Wade (1973).  Whether or not we as a nation pay close attention to the Courts on a daily basis, their decisions change the way we as a people live.  

The video did not change my views on the Courts importance, nor negate the respect I have for the justices whose votes can change the trajectory of America.  That in its self is an important viewpoint which should be taken up more by fellow citizens, while we may not see our justices make public appearances, they are still people.  Not only are they people, but they are also trying to decipher our nations most important piece of literature and the meaning our founding fathers were trying to convey.  While the turnover of their cases, it is understandable due to the severity in which these cases have on peoples lives.