Because they serve
for life, justices
are insulated from
pressure groups and
partisan politics.
Catherine Woodson
Richmond, VA
Barring misconduct, or
any other act that is
considered egregious,
they should serve until
they retire or resign.
Honor Dela Fuente
KEN BROMAN
Union, NJ
Since the Supreme Court
sets the moral code for
our country, justices
should serve life terms.
Infrequent changes in
the court provide stability.
Should Supreme Court
justices have life tenure? NO
from members:
Judge John G. Roberts Jr.’s confirmation in September as chief
Matt Gerchom
justice of the United States marked the first Supreme Court appoint-
Miami Beach, FL
ment in 11 years. The Constitution says justices may serve until
death or retirement—a tenet adopted when life spans were much
shorter. Today, many feel term limits should be imposed. They argue
that no individual should wield such authority over such a long
I think people get rigid
in their thinking over
time. Someone making
the kind of decisions a
Supreme Court judge
makes should be more contem-porary-minded.
period—especially when there’s no mechanism to ensure retirement
Jeanna De Ris
if justices should become mentally or physically unfit. Critics of such
Woodburn, OR
reform argue that many justices have served honorably well into old
age, and that it could lead to more changes that may hamper the
court’s ability to interpret the law completely free from political
Dead wood needs to be
pruned. We need fresh
minds able to see the
needs of society as
they emerge.
pressure. What do you think?
Find out more about this topic on the Web:
www.denverpost.com/guestcommentary/ci_2934280
www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A15764-2004Nov26
www.cnn.com/2004/LAW/12/10/lazarus.federal.judges/index.html
Teresa Bailey
Midlothian, VA
Because this position is
prestigious, it would be
difficult to resign from,
even if one were too ill
to adequately complete
its required duties.
18 The Costco Connection NOVEMBER 2005