Changes

The [[Supreme Court]] is part of the [[federal]] [[government]], and until recently it has consistently expanded [[federal]] [[power]].  This is self-serving and predictable.  Many, unfortunately, like to seize more [[power]] for themselves.  Also, many [[judge]]s tend to enjoy exercising [[authority]] over others.

The [[Supreme Court]] is part of the [[federal]] [[government]], and until recently it has consistently expanded [[federal]] [[power]].  This is self-serving and predictable.  Many, unfortunately, like to seize more [[power]] for themselves.  Also, many [[judge]]s tend to enjoy exercising [[authority]] over others.

In ''[[Marbury v. Madison]]'' (1801), the [[Supreme Court]] grabbed the [[power]] to invalidate [[law]]s of [[Congress]] as un[[constitution]]al.  This is known as the principle of “[[judicial review]].”  It affects the relative [[power]] of the [[Supreme Court]] with respect to [[Congress]].  It does not affect [[federalism]], because the [[state]]s were not involved.

In ''[[Marbury v. Madison]]'' (1803), the [[Supreme Court]] grabbed the [[power]] to invalidate [[law]]s of [[Congress]] as un[[constitution]]al.  This is known as the principle of “[[judicial review]].”  It affects the relative [[power]] of the [[Supreme Court]] with respect to [[Congress]].  It does not affect [[federalism]], because the [[state]]s were not involved.

In ''[[McCulloch v. Maryland]]'' (1819), the [[Supreme Court]] decided a contest between the [[federal]] [[government]] and the [[state]] of [[Maryland]].  Guess which side the [[Supreme Court]] chose?  The [[federal]] [[government]], of course, because that is what the [[Supreme Court]] itself is.  It held that the [[Necessary and Proper Clause]] of the [[Constitution]] gives [[Congress]] broad [[power]]s.  The [[state]]s cannot interfere with a [[law]] passed by [[Congress]].  (In this [[case]], [[Maryland]] tried to [[tax]] the national [[bank]] operating within its [[state]].  The [[Court]] voided the [[tax]].)

In ''[[McCulloch v. Maryland]]'' (1819), the [[Supreme Court]] decided a contest between the [[federal]] [[government]] and the [[state]] of [[Maryland]].  Guess which side the [[Supreme Court]] chose?  The [[federal]] [[government]], of course, because that is what the [[Supreme Court]] itself is.  It held that the [[Necessary and Proper Clause]] of the [[Constitution]] gives [[Congress]] broad [[power]]s.  The [[state]]s cannot interfere with a [[law]] passed by [[Congress]].  (In this [[case]], [[Maryland]] tried to [[tax]] the national [[bank]] operating within its [[state]].  The [[Court]] voided the [[tax]].)