Ponder, for a second, the power held by nine selected people in the United States. The Supreme Court, the final arbiter in cases that have a far-reaching effect on the people, delivered nearly a dozen decisions this past week, each having a lasting effect on the populous.

We’re a country of more than 300 million people beholden to the decisions of six men and three women who make up the highest court in the land.

The two sides of each decision will be debated, but what cannot be debated is the influence the court has on the people.

Just last week, the court:

• Ruled the state of Montana cannot limit campaign donations. The Montana case stemmed from the 2010 Citizens United case where the court ruled that corporate spending on campaigns was protected speech under the first amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

• Ruled that sentencing minors to life in prison without parole is cruel and unusual punishment under the eighth amendment. The ruling struck down laws in 28 states, including Mississippi and Louisiana, that mandated life terms for murderers, including those younger than 18.

• Ruled that three of four provisions in Arizona’s immigration enforcement legislation were unconstitutional. Arizona officials claimed they needed to strengthen border security because the federal government was failing in its duties. The court ruled immigration should be handled by federal enforcement.

• And in the most anticipated ruling in years, the court on Thursday found that the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, was ruled constitutional.

On this Wednesday, when flying the flag in honor of America’s independence, ponder the power held by those nine people in Washington, D.C.

It’s almost overwhelming.