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Some people believe they should have a greater voice in the decisions of the Supreme Court, it's important to recognize the danger associated with being able to influence a Court charged with upholding the Constitution. The Founding Fathers intended to insulate the judiciary from the pressures and demands of special interest groups; they are not intended to be an extension of the will of the people, but a protection against that will.
This is why members of the Supreme Court are nominated by the sitting President and approved (or disapproved) by the Senate, and also why Justices are afforded lifetime commissions. These practices help protect the Supreme Court from political pressure, the need to please a constituency, and the distraction of the election process, all of which would impact the (admittedly unattainable) goal of impartiality and independent thought.
How the Electorate Can Respond to Decisions
There is no action voters can take directly to change decisions of the Supreme Court, nor should there be, in my opinion. You do, however, have some means of making your opinions known.
While you, personally, have no immediate power to alter the Court's decision, you do have a voice as a member of the electorate. You can write to Congress; the House Representative for your District, and your state's two Senators to express your concerns. You can read the Court's decision and become educated about its meaning and impact (paying careful attention to less biased sources of information) and participate in grassroots organizations working to change law. And you can vote for politicians who support your best interests. The more active you become in politics, the better informed you will be, and the greater your sense of self-determination.
If Congress receives enough pressure from the voters, the may attempt to write or rewrite legislation that circumvents the Supreme Court decision. This is a fairly common practice. Alternately, either house of Congress could propose a Constitutional amendment (for example, severely limiting the concept of corporate personhood) that would then need to be ratified by three-quarters of the states. Constitutional amendment is a long, difficult process, which is why it's not undertaken lightly or frequently.
Meanwhile, wait. If the decision is considered egregious to enough people, but Congress fails to pass a law solving the problem, there is a still some likelihood a future court, with the addition of only a few justices holding different judicial beliefs, will overturn the precedent.
Bear in mind, no matter the decision rendered or process used to arrive at that decision, someone, somewhere, will be happy with the result and someone else will be unhappy. Such is an unavoidable consequence of government, in general.
For more information, see Related Questions, below.
What else can I help you with?
Can the president remove the judge from the bench if he disagrees with the supreme court decision?
No, he can not. Removal of a judge from the supreme court requires a majority in the Congress. I think it requires a two thirds majority. Need to check. The process is called impeachment.
Can Congress overturn a Supreme Court decision?
No, Congress cannot overturn a Supreme Court decision. The Supreme Court's rulings are final and cannot be overturned by any other branch of government.
How can a state be forced to follow a Supreme Court decision with which it disagrees?
Just because the state doesn't agree, if the US Supreme Court renders a decision in your favor the state must comply! There is no higher court than the US Supreme Court - the state cannot file an appeal.
How can Congress overturn a Supreme Court decision?
Congress can overturn a Supreme Court decision by passing a new law that directly addresses the issue ruled upon by the Court. This law must be signed by the President to take effect and can effectively nullify the Court's decision.
When a supreme court disagrees with the majority opinion of the court they are?
dissenting.
One a Supreme Court Justice disagrees with the majority opinion of the court what is he or she doing?
A US Supreme Court justice who disagrees with the majority opinion writes a dissenting opinion, explaining why he or she disagrees with the majority.
How can a Supreme Court decision be changed and what are the possible avenues for overturning or modifying a ruling made by the highest court in the land?
A Supreme Court decision can be changed through a process called judicial review. This can happen through a subsequent Supreme Court decision that overturns or modifies the original ruling. Another way is through a constitutional amendment passed by Congress and ratified by the states, which can effectively nullify a Supreme Court decision. Additionally, Congress can pass legislation that clarifies or modifies the impact of a Supreme Court decision.
How can the supreme court check the power of congres?
The Supreme Court can check the power of Congress by ruling legislation passed by Congress is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court can do this when they a presented with an opportunity to hear a case which disputes a law. The supreme court's decision is final because it is the highest court in America.
Can Congress override a Supreme Court decision?
Yes, Congress can override a Supreme Court decision by passing a new law or amending existing laws to counteract the Court's ruling. This power is granted to Congress through the process of legislative action and is a way to check and balance the authority of the judicial branch.
Can a Supreme Court ruling be overturned?
Yes, a Supreme Court ruling can be overturned through a subsequent Supreme Court decision or through a constitutional amendment passed by Congress and ratified by the states.
Who group within the Federal Government has the authority to limit the president's inherent powers?
The Supreme Court
Who makes the final decision about whether a law passed by congress is unconstitutional?
The Supreme Court
