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Old 02-07-2012, 07:33 PM
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markolas markolas is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by KarmaContestant View Post
There is a lot of grumbling about the courts legislating (and there always has been and will be), but anyone with a rudimentary understanding of civics and American government will understand that that is the very purpose for which the U.S. Supreme Court -and indeed the entire American system of courts - exists in the first place - they are an equal branch of government, parallel to Congress and the President; a check and balance of power put in place by the founding fathers to ensure that the Congress and/or President (elected by the Majority) do not overstep their Constitutional authority and infringe upon the civil rights, liberties and justice of the Minority.
It amazes me, though it probably shouldn't, how little understanding people have about the way our government works. The founders of our country were absolutely petrified of "the people" having too much direct power. Originally, the only national office that was up for a direct vote was the U.S. House of Representative. State legislatures voted for U.S. Senators, as well as selecting the electors who voted for the president.

Yes, the judicial branch is most definitely invested with legislative power by the Constitution.
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