Justice

The dictionary defines govern as, "ruling with authority". As a democracy we, the people, are responsible for choosing those who rule and the authority with which they rule. Who rules is decided in the arena of politics. This book points to the foibles of these men and women to whom we refer as "politicians". It shows them to be as human as we, possessed, in varying degrees, of the very faults we deride yet in many ways probably possess ourselves. While we are quick to castigate them for their nonsense, decry their mediocrity and complain about how they perform we are slow to admit they are there because of our nonsense and mediocrity. We put them there. We get the government we deserve. Much of what you read here about politicians is humorous but behind your smile should be the fear that too many of these men and women are inadequate.

Their authority is delineated by a set of rules known as "the law". The foundation of this legal edifice is the Constitution. Because it is a simple document, but one which was designed to grow as the nation grew, it requires constant interpretation. While any court is free to interpret the Constitution when arriving at its judgments it is only Supreme Court that has the final word. Gun-control, "criminal" rights, the death penalty, and abortion are all grist for this book´s mill. We take a look at the activities of the Supreme Court and the meaning of their interpretations in order to better understand how our system works at the highest levels and how, when the word comes down from these high levels, it impacts our lives.