[Amendment10]

As a side note to Supreme Court decisions, note that when state lawmakers actually understood the Constitution that they swear to protect and defend, they knew that they could effectively overturn a Supreme Court decision by ratifying an appropriate amendment to the Constitution. In fact, the 11th, 16th and 19th Amendments are examples of the states doing so.

[Lmo56]

... they could effectively overturn a Supreme Court decision by ratifying an appropriate amendment to the Constitution. In fact, the 11th, 16th and 19th Amendments are examples of the states doing so ...

Don't forget the 14th Amendment. It invalidated the Dred Scott decision, so that it never had to be re-visited [and overturned].

[highball]

As a side note to Supreme Court decisions, note that when state lawmakers actually understood the Constitution that they swear to protect and defend, they knew that they could effectively overturn a Supreme Court decision by ratifying an appropriate amendment to the Constitution. In fact, the 11th, 16th and 19th Amendments are examples of the states doing so.

That's the beauty of checks and balances. Don't like the way the Supremes interpreted the Constitution? Then modify it to clarify.

Unfortunately, that won't help us when SCOTUS imposes gay marriage. We didn't have the political will to pass a Constitutional Amendment even when strong majorities were on our side; now that those numbers have flipped the very notion is sadly laughable.