Go to Why can't I sue the whole country?
- Add a comment
- Go to MAJORITY RULES IN THE U.S.A.? I DON'T THINK SO BUDDY
Exactly Right
If Majority Rules were true where would we stand?
Women would not have the right to vote and we would still have slavery. The constitution is what keeps us from trouncing on the rights of minorities.
Thanks for your post.
posted by
DebbieDowner
on September 20, 2005 at 5:58 PM
| link to this | reply
twodog
Majority DOES NOT RULE. You seem to misunderstand just what freedom is all about. The majority CAN NOT take away the right of the minority. it really is that simple.
What you describe is NOT majority rules. If such were so then every time we changed political parties running the country, just about every law would change as well. That does not happen. Why? Because majority does not rule. It just has a louder voice, that can be ignored.
posted by
kooka_lives
on September 19, 2005 at 7:27 AM
| link to this | reply
kooka_lives
Even more refinement, the majority rules through their elected representatives who then in turn make the laws that govern. The courts are then responsible for insuring those laws are followed. The Supreme Court is responsible for insuring those laws, as passed by the Congress, by the elected representatives, voted into office by a majority, are in accordance with the United States Constitution. So, in effect, the majority rules, however, the majority is at times forced to accept what the majority wants is not always what the majority gets.
posted by
twodog
on September 18, 2005 at 11:08 PM
| link to this | reply
You're on the right track, but in need of some refinement.
"The courts can not rule by what the majority wishes, because there are times when such a thing would go against freedom and rights. The laws must at all times protect the minorities fully. Freedom is meaningless if only the majority has a right to it."
More accurately: The courts cannot rule by what either the majority or the minority wishes, but rather by how the established law of the land is applied equally to both. To do otherwise would go against freedom and rights. The laws must at all times protect the majority and the minorities fully, under the principles of due process. Freedom is meaningless if only the majority or the minority has access to it. See Judge Roberts' testimony to this effect at http://www.startribune.com/stories/587/5616224.html
posted by
WriterofLight
on September 16, 2005 at 9:00 PM
| link to this | reply