Just how effective is the judicial branch of the United States government? Is the system established fairly enough that 9 appointed officers of a court are allowed to hold the fate of America’s most controversial issues not elaborated in the constitution? Unlike lower courts, the Supreme Court rigidly sticks to its half-hour, one-lawyer per side allotment. This makes the University of Michigan cases rather complex since many students both in and outside of the system are arguing for their right to voice their opinion on the matter. So the court is unlikely to add extra minutes, although it should truly hear these students' persuasive reasoning and take it into great consideration. If the university doesn't have time to make a strong case, and the students get even less, neither might be persuasive enough to elaborate their case. Both need the court to uphold affirmative action. Thus, without the students being able to voice their opinion, it is necessary that the university makes a strong case that is all encompassing of how they feel on this matter.

Voicing an opinion is probably the most productive way to have a say on issues that the public really has little participation level on. The fact that individual people have begun to form into groups in order to have a stronger say-so in public matters has significantly assisted Michigan’s case for affirmative action. Not only have briefs helped their side of the case, but the amount of collaborative support from organizations, such as the NAACP, or even an entire state system. The state of Colorado has recently vocalized their state’s backing behind the Michigan cases. The state of Colorado uses a similar system of points that doesn’t strictly follow quotas but have tweaked the system in such a way to diversify the classroom. The US military system has also voiced its support for affirmative action since it has helped them tremendously in recruitment of men for the armed services.

With the three branches of our nation’s government constantly battling each other through a system of checks and balances, it is safe to know that the people of this country still have some sort of say in the policies that are brought forward to be judged. We can not and should not allow for power to fall so directly into one branch and then into another as if to create a monarchical system of sorts. Although the Supreme Court has a lasting say on affirmative action, it is important to remember that we as citizens have a tremendous impact on what the outcome is because our vote during the presidential election directly effects his or her appointment to the Court.