[Phatnbald]

I'm not that clear about the greater legitimacy of the states over the federal laws/courts. Could you not extend that to each county, or even municipality? Is the locus of rightness greater if the rules are more and more local ? The events of 1859-1865 showed that some disagreements can be so strong that only the largest authority may properly prevail. Lincoln's Cooper Union speech is probably the best stated case ever regarding what we must do when we believe ourselves to be right...

[BobL]

I can't match your history - although I do believe that Cooper Union still doesn't charge tuition (big endowment).

Slavery was an exception, and I think we were well on our way to extinguishing it without help from activist judges. Same with civil rights.

My question is regarding NOW: What issues is our elected government behaving so immoral on that the courts need to step in? (I hope that I don't get deluged)

[superskunk]

I'm not that clear about the greater legitimacy of the states over the federal laws/courts.

The powers granted to the federal government by the constitution are few and limited. All other powers belong to the states, so long as they don't violate the constitution.