Today’s U.S. Supreme Court justices, critics cry, are serving longer than ever (darned improved life expectancy!). And because these people just won’t go away, the court risks becoming an institution where ideological swings have long-lasting impact (or damage), and where present decisions are made by justices grounded in the past. So legal scholars and amateur court watchers are at it again, agitating for the end of life terms on the nation’s highest court. One oft-quoted and particularly alarming statistic, from Northwestern’s Steven Calabresi and James Lindgren, shows that ... Read More
Time’s Up for Term Limits
June 27, 2010 • By • Leave a Comment
In 1990, I voted for term limits. My reason for voting yes on Proposition 140, which established in California the nation’s strictest limits, was disgust with the Legislature, which, in turn, made me willing to experiment. Perhaps legislators would be more constructive — and less partisan — if their time in Sacramento were limited. As Samuel Johnson wrote, “The prospect of being hanged focuses the mind wonderfully.” More than 52 percent of California’s voters voted for Proposition 140. Maybe some of them had views similar to mine. Others wanted to depose then-Assembly Speaker ... Read More
