Judicial Pay
Supreme Court Chief Justice John G. Roberts, Jr. complains that the Federal judicial pay scale ranging between $162,500 to $212,100 annually with cost-of-living increases is "grievously unfair." (RTD, Jan 1, 2007, p. A12: Low pay threatens judiciary,chief justice warns). Does he expect John Q. Taxpayer to be empathetic to his views and believe that a family cannot live more than comfortably on the above salaries?
I have noticed no shortage of qualified applicants desiring Federal judgeships. Until that happens, the laws of supply and demand dictate that the current salaries are too high and not driven by the employment market. In fact, the only current limiting factor to employment as a Federal judge is denial of confirmation by a politically motivated Senate.
I know of candidates aspiring to local judgeships who have complained about the sacrifices their families would have to make mustering up the tuitions for elite private schools. Yet they actively campaign behind the scenes with the legislators for these undesirable "low-paying jobs."
I am dubious that the self-serving old boys club known as Congress will not grant the 16% pay increase discussed as being sought in the above article.
And I bet you thought that the courts were supposed to protect and look after the ordinary middle class guy.
Max Maizels
Richmond