Your opinion please: What if there were no life-time appointments for judges?
I think, the one big political problem of the US as a whole is that every political decision is turned into a high-stakes-decision, and this leads to extremist hyperpartisanship, from the highest elected officials down to the voters.
For example: Elections are winner-takes-all.
For example: Only two political parties to choose from. (Vote-wasters don't count.)
For example: SCOTUS-Judges are life-time appointments.
My proposal is simple: No life-time appointments. A judge is appointed to SCOTUS for 20 years or so, after which he's automatically retired.
For example: That's how it's done in Germany. At the highest court, you serve one 12-year term and then you get replaced by a new guy.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federal_Constitutional_Court#Appointment_of_judges
I think this would take some of the hyperpartisanship out of the courts. And it would mean that ideological judges like Scalia and Gorsuch aren't around until they drop dead.
= new reply since forum marked as read
Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.