Discussion:
As we have seen, the first two branches of government are clearly, by design, very much beholden to public opinion. Yet the courts, particularly the federal courts, are quite different. The Constitution's Article III contains several attempts to shield the courts from public opinion. In a nation where public opinion is a powerful force in politics, there are good reasons to insulate the courts from public opinion. They need to be able to uphold the Constitution and protect the rights of minority groups (racial, ethnic, or simply people who have very different opinions from everyone else). At the same time, is it appropriate for the courts to disregard public opinion completely? Why or why not? What role, if any, should public opinion play in determining how courts decide cases?
Response should be submitted in Times New Roman 12pt font with 1" margins, typewritten in double-spaced format.