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To: AdamSelene235
While the structure is dependent upon Congress, the personnel is independent. Life-time appointment during "good behavior" insures that independence from both Congress and the population. Number of justices has nothing to do with anything.

Court decisions have limited the power of government on many occasions not least was the ruling that the Income tax was unconstitutional. Why would a bunch of lackeys have done such a thing? And why would they have ruled Congressional acts unconstitutional with some regularity starting with Marbury v. Madison?

Hyperbole is not very effective when factual matters are concerned no matter how well it plays with the anti-government rubes.
79 posted on 09/16/2003 9:40:34 AM PDT by justshutupandtakeit (America's Enemies foreign and domestic agree. Bush must be destroyed.)
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To: justshutupandtakeit
Number of justices has nothing to do with anything.

FDR didn't seem to think so, after he threatened to pack the SCOTUS with additional Justices they became much more compliant.

Court decisions have limited the power of government on many occasions not least was the ruling that the Income tax was unconstitutional. Why would a bunch of lackeys have done such a thing?

Its an honor system. There is no inherent motivation for the three branches to limit the power of the government.

And why would they have ruled Congressional acts unconstitutional with some regularity starting with Marbury v. Madison?

That was a power grab by the SCOTUS with obvious conflicts of interests. Prior to Marbury every branch of the government was expected to evaluate the Constitutionality of its actions. After Marbury, the SCOTUS reserved that privilege solely for itself hence Bush's: Gee CFR looks unconstitutional but who am I to judge, where do I sign?

Today you can't even mention the 2nd Amendment to a jury in a lower court lest they begin to contemplate matters of Constitutionality.

81 posted on 09/16/2003 9:54:00 AM PDT by AdamSelene235 (Like all the jolly good fellows, I drink my whiskey clear....)
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