The worst case scenario

We’ve just witnessed a milestone in the history of the Supreme Court. For six hours over the course of three days, lawyers argued over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, while protestors, thrill seekers and political candidates mingled on the steps outside. The court hasn’t afforded a case this much of its precious time since it considered the Voting Rights Act back in 1966.

While this isn’t Marbury v. Madison or even Brown v. Board of Education, it’s certainly on par with a Roe v. Wade or a Bush v. Gore. Cases like these come along about once in a decade, and some—like this one—help define us as a democracy still struggling with growing pains. And come June, we’ll find out how this one turned out and move on from there.