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Question 1 This week we look at the Supreme Court and its power

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Question 1

This week we look at the Supreme Court and its power. The court has made major decisions and America would likely be a totally different place had it not been for decisions such as McCulloch v Maryland, Marbury v Madison, Brown v Board of Education and other more recent decisions such as Kelo v New Haven, and Obergefell v. Hodges.  Give the class your ideas regarding how America has been shaped by the Supreme Court and how the Court's decisions are shaped by the particular members on the Court at any given time.

Reply 1

 

Recently I was asked if I felt our country was where the founding fathers expected or wanted it to be at. At first, I said yes but then I actually started to think about it. I don't think we are where the founding fathers wanted us due to the Supreme Court. I think that we are ahead of what they expected. With the decision from Brown V. Board of Education (1954) alone the Supreme Court made giant strides from where the founding fathers expected. I feel as if the military is societies guineapig, and by the time the Supreme Court decided the case the military was already desegregated (1948). Same goes for Obergefell v Hodges. By the time the Supreme Court got involved the military had already repealed Don't Ask Don't Tell (2011). In 2013 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) was repealed meaning same sex couples could get the same benefits as anyone else. Before that time same sex couples could get married in 35 states. However, due to the Obergefell v Hodges (2015) 15 more states were made to recognize same sex marriages. Yet again the military had already put into action what the Supreme Court decided well before hand. The Supreme Court has done a lot to mandate things for the US and each of their decisions has come depending on the Judges on the bench. But I also see that regardless of the judge on the bench if the country as majority is for something and the military has already put into action what the decision is leaning towards there is no reason that the Supreme Court doesn't vote according to what is acceptable within society. Without having proper information I've come to learn that the Supreme Court will not make a decision it feels is warranted or needed at the time. So, the Supreme Court has shaped America by giving the country what it needs at the time it is ready to receive it. Regardless of good or bad outcome at the time of the decision the country will accept and conform to what is being decided. 

 

Reply 2

 

Over the last 8 weeks we have learned a lot about the United States judicial system.  One of the most powerful and influential courts is the Supreme Court of the U.S.  One of the most influential cases that the Supreme Court has ever heard was Brown v. Board of education.  Before this case the United States allowed laws that segregated race within public school.  After this case it started the country down the path of inclusion rather than segregation.  I believe this was a pivotal moment in our country, while it did not change the heart of most American’s it started a change towards inclusion that we continue to see today.  A good example of this is in the Supreme Court case of Obergefell v. Hodges regarding same sex marriages.  The court will continue to be at the center of most of decisions that will shape our country’s future.  That is way it is important that we have qualified judges sitting on the Supreme Court of the United States.

These are just a couple of the cases that have enacted significant change within our country.  Because they have the final say in cases they are under additional pressure to make the right decision.  Overall I would say I am in favor of the Supreme Court because we need a system where a final decision can be made and not entertain appeal after appeal.  My biggest concern with the court is how justices are selected and chosen.  I believe the politics involved with this process jeopardizes the integrity of the court.  I believe the president should with be removed from this process altogether, or their needs to be a committee that gives the president of qualified candidates that they can choose from.  This will help reduce the political influence from the Supreme Court.