One of my article was about how SCOTUS has no right {constitutionally} to decide what laws are constitutional and what is not, because it would make the Judicial Branch of our government a despotic branch {which they have already become}.
We now have a an Incoming president, that has praised the LIBERAL wing of SCOTUS, and criticized the Conservatives. Obama says "that he would appoint justices with the empathy to understand what it is like to be poor, or African American or Gay or disabled or old" he also said that the constitution "is a living document" {which I agree with. {give me justices that go by the constitution!}
If President Obama appoints someone who is old, or poor {they will not be poor long on a 200,000 a year salary} or disabled, or Gay {they would have lots of money for donations, it would be a first. However , few Presidential decisions have the lasting impacts of a SCOTUS Appointment. They serve for life {the constitution says "during good behavior}
I have often wondered what is the difference between freedom and liberty. Liberty Preceded Democracy by almost 500 years in England with the creation of the Magna Carta in 1512 which merely restated ancient Teutonic Laws Liberties, like the freedom not to be taxed, except according to law. It was after the revolution of 1688 that Democracy {majority rule} began to come into its own {England} however only around 2% of the people could vote because the other 98% could not read and did not own property.
President John Adams our second President said "democracy never lasts long. it soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself" "there was never a democracy yet that did not commit suicide".
James Madison said in the federalist papers, There is nothing to check the inducement to sacrifice the weaker party {in A Democracy} "thank goodness we have a Republic"
Republics are designed to to protect liberty by placing restraints on the power of majorities. James Madison, often called the father of the constitution devised several checks to keep the majority from becoming a tyrannical Majority. they are:
1. Limiting powers to those enumerated in the constitution. 2. A bill of rights protected from majority rule. 3. separated powers between the federal government. 4. Separated powers between State and federal governments. 5. Two legislative branches {the Senate and the house} 6. Executive Veto and 7. Impeachment power