This week has brought two major decisions from the United States Supreme Court: one reaffirming the validity of the nation’s health care program, Obamacare, and the endorsement of same-sex marriage throughout the nation. These verdicts, perhaps unexpected in some quarters, will likely rank among the most compelling and far-reaching decisions ever handed down by this country’s highest judiciary. Celebrations are indeed in order.

The Obamacare decision assures that the President’s signature action will endure. And millions of Americans will benefit from it, as many already are. Forget the mouthing from disgruntled Republicans, who have wasted this government’s time for more than half a decade trying fruitlessly and thoughtlessly to kill it. For many in the GOP, there is no concern — much less a plan — for helping Americans secure personal health care. Obamacare is here; and more than we may recognize, it is working. So may we now devote all out energies to improving it? [Not that that’s going to happen with so many Republican presidential candidates shamelessly playing to the worst and basest elements in their party in an effort to win nomination.]

And then there is this morning’s decision legalizing same-sex marriage. At long last. Justice Kennedy’s gracefully written, soaring decision for the majority is an honest expression of the deepest and most basic value imbedded in our Constitution: all people should be treated equally. He acknowledged there are disagreements, and he does not seek to abolish debate. But he is quite clear that one group of people may not be denied rights given to others.

The dissents on the high court are fascinating and inevitable in a 5-4 verdict. Chief Justice Roberts writes with some feeling that the issue is not one connected to the Constitution. Justice Scalia writes with vitriol and questions whether or not American is any longer a democracy. Justice Thomas, trying to hard with his limited capabilities, goes all the way back to the Magna Carta to misunderstand history. Discounting the mindsets of Justices Scalia and Thomas, this seems more like a 5-2 verdict with 2 passes. [Those two justices seem determined if not destined to become little more than disgraceful footnotes when the long history of the Supreme Court is written.]

Whatever, same-sex marriage is now the law of this land. I join with millions of people to honor that, with the hope that everyone will observe it with the kind of dignity Justice Kennedy writes of (do read his decision – it is memorable).