In response to a democratic proposal for 18 year SCOTUS terms:
I’m fine with a long term. 18 years is 2 8-year presidential cycles, and 2 years into another. Generally, we often have a short 4-year term within a 20-year cycle, so there is at least 1 4-year term in there. Also, at least one, if not two, parties flip. This flip may even return the party that initially appointed the justice being replaced. I’m afraid that terms shorter than 18 years make the position political.
I am also ok with a 75-year-old retirement cap. This forces us to look at people who can fully fulfill their 18-year term or be so superb that they are truly worth a shorter term. Starting a new career at 57-65 is definitely a thing, and working past 75 is also a thing. Let them be a consultant. Heck, let the court or a justice hire them for their experience. They might even write the majority, dissenting, or “of note” opinion.
While I wrote that, I must return to my thought of adjusting the house and senate.
Increase the size of the House and the Senate
I’d also like to see 4-year terms for both House and Senate members. Increase numbers so House districts are small enough that Congresspeople represent fewer people (i.e., undo the freeze house freeze of the early 1900’s). ALL House members are elected along with the president.
Let the midterms be the Senate seats. They are the upper house, which is meant to keep the other two in check (the President and the House). This means they were elected under the previous president and have had 2 years to show their colors. We can elect House members to complement them or the new president. If we don’t like how the Senate is keeping the House or President in check, we can replace them in the midterms. So they can better align with the House or President, or put more pressure on them.
NOTE: With 4 senators being elected at once, we can vote the top 4 candidates into office. No more of this ignoring 46% of the voters who voted against the winning candidate.
I have a whole theory for the House and Senate adjustment. It’s to come soon, maybe prompted by some prodding from you, the readers.
Mike Wilkens (FB), I like that this is more than 2 eight-year terms. That’s a good reset period. If we have 2 eight-year terms, that means both presidents are pretty good. If they don’t want to risk a different party, they can retire 3 years early. (Yes, not supposed to be partisan, but we know parties tend to stack the court, or at least pick someone that party prefers. At least someone leaving early most likely means their spot will be filled similar to how it has been for the previous 15 years. Needless to say, things tend to flip parties at least once every 8-12 years; If not twice, i.e., back to where that retiring person was picked under. (FB: https://www.facebook.com/ThingsYouDontKnowOfficial/posts/pfbid0wkF3zzFVVgRzUxuqtnsz4cFwPXSArXhS3n4BKB21XENUkxL26RQ7p5VyaViqLfDMl?comment_id=1718054579262359&reply_comment_id=1113363031025483 )