The recent Supreme Court ruling on campaign financing reminds me of a George Orwell novel: “everyone is equal but some are more equal”. It seems proper to limit political donations by felons, foreigners, and corporations as they are not allowed to vote. Should there be any restrictions on campaign donations by a voter? Yes, just as there are restrictions on multiple voting or unequal representation, there should be a limit on the amount of money donated by one voter. In 1919 the Supreme Court exempted professional baseball from the Anti-Trust Laws, saying it was a “sport” and not a business! Was that a wise and just decision?

The Federal Constitution gave Supreme Court judges a lifetime appointment. Only monarchs and aristocrats serve for life, officials in a republic serve for a fixed term. Other Federal judges have to retire at age seventy. A Constitutional Amendment should require Supreme Court judges to retire at age seventy and have a single term of sixteen years.

Another reform would expand the number of Supreme Court judges to fifteen. Originally there were six judges for the thirteen states. This was increased to seven when Jefferson was President, then to nine when Jackson was President of 24 states. Limiting each President to one Supreme Court appointment after election would prevent “court packing”.

The people voted to elect US Senators by popular vote with the XVII Amendment. Isn’t it time to reform the Supreme Court?

Ronald A. Sobieraj