A president or a self proclaimed pope

[jaewing]

Partially correct, but to paraquote President Clinton, "That depends on what your definition of is is".

Like anything that's written down, it's subject to interpretation. The authors are dead and buried, so we can't ask them what they meant.

In the United States, the job of interpreting the Constitution and its amendments is the job of the Supreme Court. We hope that Presidents assign fair and knowledgeable judges and that they do a good job of interpretation.

You are correct in that the Supreme Court is charged with interpretation of the Constitution. However, it has gotten way out of control and they have been stretching the meaning of interpret to the limit.

At least in this Strict Constructionist's view.

[WhiteWidow]

My favorite is how EVERYTHING falls under federal jusrisdiction because of interstate commerce.

[SmokinDVM]

The Supreme Court taking their interpretations of the US Constitution too far?

I think it really depends on your particular position pertaining to the decision at hand. If you agree with the decision, you think they were doing a fantastic and fair job. But, if you are on the other side, you think they are pushing the envelope.
Same thing with the bullshit term, "Activist Judges".
Obviously, they're only "activists" if you don't like their decision.

In reality, it's all business as usual.

[cigar no baka]

You are correct in that the Supreme Court is charged with interpretation of the Constitution. However, it has gotten way out of control and they have been stretching the meaning of interpret to the limit.

At least in this Strict Constructionist's view.

Agreed. Right to privacy and separation of church and state are two of the most egregious "interpretations" inserted into the constitution without the will of the people being heard through the legal means of amending the constitution.

And show me where in the constitution does it give the Supreme Court the power to interpret the Constitution? I remember that being a power they asserted for themselves by "interpreting" the constitution which makes it double damned. The interpreted the Constitution to say that they have the power to "interpret" the Constitution, didn't they?

[WhiteWidow]

Agreed. Right to privacy and separation of church and state are two of the most egregious "interpretations" inserted into the constitution without the will of the people being heard through the legal means of amending the constitution.

And show me where in the constitution does it give the Supreme Court the power to interpret the Constitution? I remember that being a power they asserted for themselves by "interpreting" the constitution which makes it double damned. The interpreted the Constitution to say that they have the power to "interpret" the Constitution, didn't they?

Not too sure about that, I always remember learning that was basically their "check" in the check and balance system.

[jaewing]

Not too sure about that, I always remember learning that was basically their "check" in the check and balance system.

Yes I believe that is true.