Abolish U.S. Supreme Court; let states rules on issues

Our country just lost a Supreme Court justice last month. He'd been a member of the highest court for 30 years at a salary of $225,000 per year for a total of $6,750,000. Additionally, they receive free medical care from our country's finest.

Justice Scalia, a conservative, but not like most of his colleagues sitting with him on the highest court, had to work hard to accumulate his wealth. Most all justices now serving or having served were millionaires before being appointed.

There are no time limits; they can serve until death. Only nine members have died, while 54 have resigned with full pay that lasted until he or she died. Since 1970, the justices have served for an average of 26 years. We presently have two justices in their 80s.

I am in my seventh decade and my mind is still sharp, but I forget where I laid my glasses and manage to drive to the store without my grocery list. Should we allow Supreme Court justices to make decisions for our country past age 65?

These justices are sent approximately 7,000 cases per year, costing taxpayers millions. They only review between 80 and 100, making decisions for millions of Americans.

These justices receive paid vacation in addition to a yearly recess that runs between late June and the first Monday in October. During this recess, most justices travel to European countries to give lectures for large amounts of money. Each justice has three or four law clerks processing all the paper work, including gathering information needed to make their decisions, at taxpayer expense.

I am for abolishing our country's Supreme Court and allowing the Supreme Court of each state to make decisions for their state. Term limits on each justice. No full salary after serving. Now is the time to put the brakes on spending in our country.

Sam Black

Palmetto

This story was originally published March 15, 2016 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Abolish U.S. Supreme Court; let states rules on issues ."