[MrZongle2]

"The will of the people is the ultimate mandate in a democracy."

Until a small group of judges say otherwise.

[adrianmpc]

Actually I think the above statement is correct. If the U.S. was a pure democracy, the will of the people would be ultimate. As a constitutional republic, the constitution is ultimate, and in the U.S.'s particular implementation of the republic, the will of the people would mandate a law, and the supreme court would determine if that law comports with the constitution or not.

[kobeya]

And then the people vote to change the constitution, as they are doing in California on next Tuesday.

[d_e_solomon]

Majority rules with minority rights. The judges are there in part to ensure the rights of the minority are respected.