A Review on Public Opinion and Colonial Grievances (Essay Sample)

A Review on Public Opinion and Colonial Grievances
Supreme Court Rulings and Civil Liberties
Question One- Supreme Court Rulings
The independence of the judicial system in the United States leaves many questions due to its position in the political framework (Liptak, 2021). The political checks set particular limits for courts in which they can exercise their judicial powers. These different checks encompass legislative checks, public opinion, executive checks, and judicial doctrines. Most governments respect public opinion because it defines citizens' attitudes towards political issues, leaders, institutions, and events. Public opinion plays a fundamental role in building consensus on particular issues such as government legitimacy, liberty, democracy, and equality of opportunity (Liptak, 2021). However, the public may also disagree on political issues where they can express their divergent opinions. Public opinion also influences government policy, especially in democratic countries where majorities have their say.
Notably, public opinion sometimes propels the justice system to pass controversial verdicts or decisions. At the same time, the same phenomenon prompts the judiciary to reject or deny some motions or presumed rights. The Supreme court in the U.S. once ruled in favor of states’ rights in a New York gun-control case and against states’ rights in a marijuana case. The Supreme court argued that the Second Amendment protects individuals' rights to possess and carry weapons for self-defense (Liptak, 2021). However, the court reasoned that certain decisions require public scrutiny and how they positively or negatively influence the public, in this case, the Marijuana verdict. The court ruled in States' favor in the gun-control case since people should be allowed to possess guns to defend themselves in high-crime areas or in the case they need to protect their property. The marijuana case, despite the public's involvement, is different because it may cause more harm to the public than good. Notably, in public opinion, it is argued that not everything is passed depending on its implications (Tanne, 2005). The court denied the states a chance to legalize marijuana due to its health implications on the American people and the economic sabotage it may cause.
Question Two- Civil Liberties
Between 1600 and 1700, British settlers came to North America to seek economic opportunities, religious freedom, and political liberty (Deitch et al., 2022). They created thirteen colonies on the East Coast, which eventually became the original states. Each colony had its government, but they were all answerable to the British King. This revelation implied that they could neither govern themselves nor make any laws. They paid taxes to the King, which aggrieved the colonists because they had no representation in the British government. They were also angry that they were compelled to allow British soldiers to sleep and eat in their homes (Deitch et al., 2022). As time passed, leaders from the colonies converged in Philadelphia, where they discussed the British laws and complained about their unfair and inconsiderate state. The Continental Congress was formed around this period, where a list of grievances was sent to King George the third. This meeting was significant because it bore a list of complaints that would later liberate the colonies from the colonial masters (Deitch et al., 2022). The colonies felt unfairly taxed, heavily monitored, and ignored during tragedies.