There's an interesting article on the Fox News web site that talks about Chief Justice John Roberts has asked Congress for a rather substantial pay raise for judges -- as much as a 30% pay raise -- Roberts' salary would go from $212,100 to $275,730. Wow.
I bet most of you are already screaming at the screen about that one (well, except for Oddy). As much as I'm opposed to government spending on just about everything, this is one of the very few functions of government that government IS supposed to do -- so I support the suggested increase.
Why? Because while I know the average reader would love a 30% increase in their salary -- imagine if you hadn't had an increase of more than 0.5% in the last 40 years. In a free market, which the government has to participate in regarding judges, a majority of people will follow the money.
Right now, many judges are faced with continuing work as a judge or making considerably more money as a private pond scum-sucking lawyer. Therefore, the best and brightest often choose to avoid being a judge. In addition, the judges may be more susceptible to bribes. If their pay is increased to be competitive, more qualified people would consider becoming and staying a judge.
So feel free to meet with your Congresscritter during the "holiday" break -- tell them to support catapulting illegals and raising judges' pay. Where do they get the money? How about stopping giving so much to "victims."
Very true. A for a professionals living in Washington 200,000 is not very much money. For a lot of people it would be stupid to take a pay cut just to have more stress and that is what being a judge would be.
Indeed! Call your Congressman!
Normally I would agree with every point you made - except for one thing.
That little starting figure of $212,000.
Anyone who would take another job rather than settle for $212,000, or who makes $212,000 and would still find a bribe tempting, is far, far too interested in money for a position in the justice system.
or the government, for that matter..
There is certainly too much money in politics. But the solution to that is easy -- get government out of all the things they don't belong in!
Expect it to pass.
I understand the judge's pay grade just happens to be the same as congress.
Congress loves to be nice to judges = but doen't mention they get the 30% raise also.
This was the case twenty some odd years ago, I imagine the farce still continues.
In the peoples republic of kalifornia, our conservitive governator has proposed a $1.00 raise in the minimum wage. That is a healthy percentage increase from 6.75 also.
Why not make the minimum pay $500.00 per hour, then everyone could afford a house?
No, that's not quite right.
Judges have not been getting the pay raises that Congress has -- it's a different department.
And don't get me started on minimum wages. Completely different topic!
Thanks for stopping by!
I support the pay raise proposal for judges 100%.
I agree with you, Ogre, that given our market based economy and given the importance of competent judges, we need to pay what the marketplace demands to maintain an appropriately staffed legal system.
Like anyplace else, the best and the brightest go where the money is, leaving behind the worst and the dimest(just call tech support at any computer firm or ISP for a prime example).
I think that's racist of you to say, Seth. Hold on, I'm calling the thought police for confirmation....
The thought police will have to bring in the ACLU for legal support, the ACLU will have to go off across the countryside in search of one of the worst and dimmest(no, wait, they could go to Dell or SBCYahoo! tech support and find one quickly, picking one out while blindfolded) to be the plaintiff, then they'll have to file a suit against me for the trauma my bigoted, oppressive, just plain mean statement has brought into the formerly serene existence of the poor, hard-done-to worst and dimmest wretch.
By then, I'll have resold my house, changed my name and taken to the high, snowy hills, where they'll never find me, heh heh heh...
Leave room for me to build a cabin next door!