If the best minds are conservatives and we want the best minds to be attracted to the bench, why not pay the amount the best minds could earn elsewhere?
If money is their goal, then they belong in the private sector. What about remembering who it is that pays those salaries. You and me. All government workers, (as in a very large percent) think they aren't paid enough. I thought the same thing when I was working but the truth of the matter is there has to be a limit to wealth. You don't just get more because you could spend more if you had more. I wonder how many government servents would have chosen their jobs if they couldn't vote or demand their salaries. I guarantee you if industry ran on that premise, there wouldn't be any industry. The government is disgustingly free with my money. If they need more, they just take it. There outta be a law.