Changes

As aforesaid, the Founders were wrong on this. The Supreme Court is probably  the most powerful (and therefore, most dangerous) branch of our government. The idea of [[judicial review]] (the power of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional), implied by the Constitution, but established by the ruling of Chief Justice [[John Marshall]] in the famous case ''[[Marbury v. Madison]]'', established the Supreme Court's power. In this case, Justice Marshall declared that the Supreme Court could overrule any law passed by Congress that wasn't Constitutional.  

As aforesaid, the Founders were wrong on this. The Supreme Court is probably  the most powerful (and therefore, most dangerous) branch of our government. The idea of [[judicial review]] (the power of the Supreme Court to declare a law unconstitutional), implied by the Constitution, but established by the ruling of Chief Justice [[John Marshall]] in the famous case ''[[Marbury v. Madison]]'', established the Supreme Court's power. In this case, Justice Marshall declared that the Supreme Court could overrule any law passed by Congress that wasn't Constitutional.  

While this decision provided that the Supreme Court keeps the other two branches in check (and very effectively), there are next to no checks on the Supreme Court. This is why the five majority on the court of nine are said to be the five most powerful people in the United States.  

While this decision provided that the Supreme Court keeps the other two branches in check (and very effectively), there are next to no checks on the Supreme Court, except for impeachment. Impeachment can theoretically be used, but has not since the failed impeachment of [[Samuel Chase]], an early activist judge. This is why the five majority on the court of nine are said to be the five most powerful people in the United States.  

The words written on the entrance of the Supreme Court building summarize the purpose of the judicial branch: "Equal justice under law."   

The words written on the entrance of the Supreme Court building summarize the purpose of the judicial branch: "Equal justice under law."