Amendment One Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Amendment One - Essay Example These rights, including the rights of free speech and free press, were hailed as democratic constitutional principles in the first founding of the nation, (American Government 4:111), and the Fourteenth Amendment states that no state can deprive any American citizen of the "equal protection of the laws" (American Government 9:358). It is this nation that Thomas Jefferson envisaged to change into an "Empire of Liberty", of the people, by the people, for the people (American Government 4:116). And the Supreme Court, in all the history of America, has largely strived to uphold these principles. As public trust in government and its affairs wanes with time, especially in the recent decades, the Court becomes ever more venerable and an ever important beacon of hope in the eye of the people. However, some view the increasing influence of the Supreme Court as a blow to democracy. Whatever the case may be, the Court has shaped the practical implementations of the Amendment through its rulings in various cases. No racial and religious discrimination, as proposed by the Amendment has somet