Posted on 01/01/2009 4:39:29 PM PST by Diana in Wisconsin
Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Making his annual year-end report, U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts on Wednesday renewed his call for an increase in judicial pay.
"Our country wisely preserves and maintains its national symbols. As citizens, we should strive with no less determination and vigor to preserve and maintain what our flag signifies and our anthem celebrates," Roberts wrote. "The Judiciary depends on such people, who have made American courts the envy of the world and the model for new democracies. As I have previously pointed out, however, widespread esteem is no reason for complacency."
"I suspect many are tired of hearing it, and I know I am tired of saying it, but I must make this plea again-Congress must provide judicial compensation that keeps pace with inflation," he added.
Roberts, 53, has been calling for higher salaries for judges since 2005. Democrats were looking to give judges a cost-of-living increase in 2008 but their bill was attached to a $14 billion legislation bailing out the auto industry, which collapsed in the Senate on Dec. 11.
The chief justice said in his 15-page report that bankruptcy filings rose 30 percent in 2008 and criminal charges in immigration cases by 27 percent. Sex offense cases also grew by 9 percent.
He added that while the judiciary received a total annual budget of $6.2 billion, which "represents a mere two-tenths of 1 percent of the United States' total $3 trillion budget," it has been cutting costs for four years, " long before the current economic crisis." The cost-cutting includes audits of rent expenditures and more than fifty discrete operations.
"That is all we ask for one of the three branches of government-the one charged 'to guard the Constitution and the rights of individuals'... Given the Judiciary's small cost, and its absolutely critical role in protecting the Constitution and rights we enjoy, I must renew the Judiciary's modest petition: Simply provide cost-of-living increases that have been unfairly denied! We have done our part-it is long past time for Congress to do its," Roberts wrote.
Federal judges in 2008 received $169,300 salaries, while U.S. Supreme Court judges earned $208,100. Roberts, as chief justice, had a salary of $217,400.
How about you reverse Roe v. Wade and THEN we'll consider a raise for ya? ;)
Roberts will be decrying a lot more when Barry loads the courts with commies.
Congress voted itself an automatic pay raise but it’s not automatic for every body else. The judiciary has to beg like we do? Study the Constitution while you’re waiting on the memo re the pay raise.
I was thinking about seeing what happens in the Birth Certificate matter first. It is a rough call for them but let them earn their salary. Also, their tenure is for life but tenure is not a ball and chain. They are free to resign at any time.
Yeah, I too like John Roberts, but his timing on this is bad.
hmmmm....wonder why there were soooooo many bankruptcy filings......hhhmmmmm??? DEMOCRATS rule!
is he THAT OUT OF TOUCH?
Why must he have a “bail out”?
Surely he can make some extra money moving his lips and presenting somewhere ... .
Heck, WRITE A BOOK!
He's a lousy, greedy hypocrite.
I’ll make him and the other justices a deal. For each one that shows a willingness to make sure our constitution is upheld I’ll make one phone call, send one fax, and one email to my elected representatives on their behalf.
Otherwise, tough noogies.
Why should people get a raise when they don’t do their job.
They refuse to support the Constitution in the most simple manner.
Simply tell Obama to come to Washington and bring his Birth Certificate before Jan. 20th. or there wont be any Judges to swear in the illegitimate President.
No pay raise for traitors who won’t defend the Constitution.
They should be removed and tried for treason.
Anyone working for the government should keep their mouths shut about seeking more pay during this economic downturn.
And people actually think the SCOTUS will save them from The One (piss be upon him).
Don’t worry, º will take care of everything.
This has been an issue for years, but it is not as straightforward as it seems.
There are 9 Supreme Court justices and 179 appellate judgeships, for all intents and purposes these are the ONLY judges that determine constitutional matters.
On the other hand, there are 678 district court judgeships (they primarily deal with criminal and civil matters), there are 352 bankruptcy judgeships and 551 full-time and part-time magistrate judgeships.
In other words, there are less than 200 federal judges involved in constitutional matters and over 1500 who have nothing to do with these issues.
Supreme Court and Court of Appeals judges often have book and law school deals that offset their incomes. However, normal judges DO NOT and the problem has been these judges leaving to return to private practice and the courts risk losing talent this way. A talented judge in his early 40s with a mortgage and three kids in college can usually make at least twice as much money in private practice and these are the ones that Roberts (and Rehnquist before him) is worried about losing.
Tell you what John, you order Barack Hussein Obama to bring his arrogant ass into your Courtroom, and tell him ahead of time that he better have that vault copy of his birth certificate delivered first by U.S. Marshals to prevent any tampering en route, and that he had best be prepared to demonstrate that he is Constitutionally eligible to serve as President of these United States, and THEN:
and ONLY then, will we talk about a pay raise, ok pal?
There all alike......outta touch with Americans.
You said — “You know, I like this guy, but REALLY. America is tapped out, Dude!”
Ummmm..., he may be holding up this Obama birth certificate thing until that raise comes through... LOL...
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