In the past several months there has been a lot of talk about the legislature and taxes.

This debate has gone through the College Republicans as well. This leads to College Republicans often seeking internships with elected officials in the legislature.

While this is definitely encouraged, there is sometimes one branch of government many of us leave out: the Judiciary.

Aside from long, boring papers and black gowns, the Supreme Court, Michigan and U.S., truly has an ability to not only rule on law, but also to create law through judicial activism.

When you talk about election law, you see judges, such as the Honorable Justice Brennan creating completely new law out of thin air. In Thornburg v. Gingles 478 U.S. 30 (1986), Justice Brennan creates his own three-prong test to determine if certain redistricting is discriminating, even after the U.S. Senate has provided a list of factors in a Senate Report, one of which included the totality of the circumstances, something Brennan completely left out. Talk about judicial activism!

More recently, the Supreme Court has granted certiorari in  two cases; both of which will effect us greatly.

The first one is a case from Indiana which will determine whether or not a photo ID is a legal prerequisite to voting (view the opinion of the Court of Appeals here). Yes, folks, believe it or not, some people think it's disenfranchising to require people to show a photo ID or sign an affidavit swearing their identity when they vote. Of course the majority of those screaming "foul" rest in the Democratic camp. I guess its too hard to win elections when dead people can't vote for you! The court will hear this case on January 9.

Another case that the Supreme Court has just granted cert for is a 2nd Amendment case (DC v. Heller). For the first time since 1939, the Supreme Court will (hopefully) reaffirm your right to bear arms.

At the state level, the Michigan Supreme Court will soon decide whether or not the January 15 primary our state legislature set is unconstitutional.

As College Republican Chairman and supporter of Senator John McCain for President, I know how heated a primary race can become. After the primary, however, when we have democratically selected our nominee, let's remember to let bygones be bygones and work to get a Republican in the White House for four more years.

Even if you don't agree on every issue with that particular candidate, the court cases mentioned above can show you how important it is to have conservative judges nominated by a Republican President. Can you imagine how liberal our nation would turn if Hilary were to nominate the next Supreme Court justices (since 2 or more will most likely resign next term). That seriously sends spikes of fear down my spine!

For the Michigan Supreme Court, an elected court, I encourage everyone to not ignore the bench. Pay attention to what these candidates are saying and vote for the best one that will represent your views (in the very least, give Saul a call and ask him which candidates are endorsed by the MI GOP).