American Devolution Since the 1960s

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Roe versus Wade case of 1973 challenged the Texas abortion laws. The case deemed the abortion laws as vague with reference to safeguarding human rights. As a result, the Supreme Court prohibited Texas from executing such laws leading to the preservation of the sections that only promoted human rights and did not contravene the federal statutes. Roe versus Wade case further resulted in the establishment of nationalized abortion guidelines, which deprived the state the freedom to interfere with the right to privacy of a mother in the first trimester. However, in the Griswald versus Connecticut case, the state obtained the mandate to protect the health of the unborn child, beginning from the second trimester. Overall, the initial law protects the state’s citizen from actions that infringe human rights.

The U.S. Court ruling of 2000 dismissed the law allowing student-initiated prayers at football games. A later appeal by the New York Supreme Court overthrew the Supreme Court ban, a move, which worked towards respecting the establishment of freedom of religion. As such, the government should devolve religious choices to the citizens themselves. In Mitchell versus Helms case of 2000, the U.S. Supreme Court also established a federal program permitting the states to loan educational equipment and material to public and private schools. In this respect, the Federal Court recognized the need for the educational bodies to function independently (Patterson 129).

In 2005, the Supreme Court ruled the Ten Commandments cases and upheld the erection of a monument in the Van Order Texas Park but rejected the replacement of a monument in the courthouse of Kentucky. On the other hand, the Shaw versus Reno case decreed the use of race as a factor in drawing legislative boundaries illegal. As a result, equality was achieved within the perceived majority and minority districts.

In the Worchester versus Georgia case, the Supreme Court ruled that Georgia had no control over Cherokee reservations. However, Georgia declined to enforce the Supreme Court decisions since the state perceived itself as an independent government. Cherokee Nation versus Georgia case was ruled on the ground that Cherokee had an indisputable right over their land. However, the court maintained that the state must remain dependent and, therefore, could not sue the United States.

The American administration of the later decades seems to have taken an increased interest in enhancing the powers of the federal government. George W. Bush extensively followed the economic policies that promoted programs and reforms that benefit the unprivileged. Bush’s government also progressively addressed persistent domestic issues such as medical coverage and education. For instance, Bush endorsed the Medicare Prescription Drug Act and No Child Left Behind Act, which promoted welfare for all. On the other hand, Barack Obama has worked tirelessly to promote the economic recovery and stability of the United States, especially through The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (2009). Obama’s government, as Patterson states (Patterson 98) is also known for a series of economy-stimulant bills aimed at creating jobs and reducing the deficit. Obama is also famous for endorsing the Affordable Care Act, commonly known as Obama Care. In this regard, Bush and Obama’s administrations broadly contributed and sustained the United States’ devolution.

Work cited

Patterson, T. We are the People. McGraw-Hill, 1995

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