General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsWould you favor limits on service on the Supreme Court?
It's probably just me, but I think 24 years is enough.
Autumn
(45,120 posts)No reason for them to serve for life.
bluestate10
(10,942 posts)Great liberal Justices like John Brennan, Harry Blackmun, and John Paul Stevens didn't become liberals until late into their service on the bench. Louis F Powell was a staunch conservative early on in his bench service, but became a critical swing vote in favor of women's rights, affirmative action, civil liberties. It is too early to tell where he is headed, but even Roberts has moderated some from when he first gained the bench.
bluestate10
(10,942 posts)A justice shouldn't serve longer than four or five presidential terms.
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)I just think "life" encourages Presidents to select the youngest (as opposed to the most experienced) person they can get away with appointing. See: Thomas, Clarence.
TheCowsCameHome
(40,168 posts)pipoman
(16,038 posts)Maybe a standard of competency exam occasionally would not be bad..
IphengeniaBlumgarten
(328 posts)Justices should limit their involvement with politicians and elections and parties to suits. Or should recuse themselves such cases.
It would be nice to hold them to a high standard of ethical behavior than some have demonstrated.
RKP5637
(67,112 posts)jberryhill
(62,444 posts)The service there is bad enough already. I ordered a can of Coke and there was something awful on it.
Bjornsdotter
(6,123 posts)I'm not sure how long, but yes I do favor limits.
Hekate
(90,793 posts)... how important it is to elect a Democratic President in order to get good appointees to the Supreme Court. Too many Dems either don't have any idea or are too caught up in purity politics to care if the candidates don't suit them. I wore my fingers out yelling SCOTUS! at DUers who were going to vote 3rd party or stay home during the 2004 and 2008 electoral seasons.
Hekate
OmahaBlueDog
(10,000 posts)And I persoally are grateful that you yelled, because I witnessed many DUers rolling their eyes and saying, "The Supreme Court Argument? Really?"
However, it would still be important to elect Democratic Presidents, even with a 20 year term limit. I just think 20 years is enough, whether we're talking about Clarence Thomas or Steven Breyer.
The Constitution is a living document. I'm fine with amending it where it makes sense.. like getting rid of the EC.
Rex
(65,616 posts)level there should be term limits and elections for ALL offices.
pipoman
(16,038 posts)ProgressiveProfessor
(22,144 posts)upi402
(16,854 posts)These rightwingers accuse others of legislating from the bench...
BUT!
That's EXACTLY what THEY are doing on the SCOTUS.
Not ethical.