THE WRITTEN WORD

As long as we are at it, we the people should make changes  to Article III which concerns the federal judiciary system. Article III. Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one supreme court, and in such lower courts as the Congress may from time to time ordain and establish. The supreme court shall be limited to seven members.  As there now are 9 members of the supreme court, no new appointments to this court will be allowed until that number has fallen to 6. Their compensation for  service on the supreme will be paid on an annual basis and consist of $15 M per annum, cannot be ever reduced, and will be adjusted upward based on the rate of inflation on a yearly basis.  Whatever clerks and assistants they may deem to be necessary for the performance of their duties they will be responsible for the paying of these salaries.  Congress will be responsible for the funding of the facility, and the personal to maintain it in good order, necessary for them to carry out their duties.  Said facility will be located in Washington DC. The justices of the supreme court will set their own schedule but must sit in session for a minimum of six months each year to hear cases brought before them. The Congress will be responsible for setting reasonable and just compensation for all judges of the lower courts, as well as providing for maintenance and staffing of the facilities needed for the performance of their duties, as well as funding the salaries of these judge’s staff, and as well as the salaries of those persons deemed necessary to maintain said facilities,  whose number Congress will limit by law. The judges, both of the supreme and lower courts, shall hold their offices as long as they care to based on their good behavior and in good health and rational mind. Section2. This section needs no change although the wording might be simplified. Section 3. This section needs no change but perhaps the language could be modernized. Section 4. When, from time to time, a vacancy should occur on the supreme court, or any of the lower federal courts, the president shall submit to congress a list of three persons that he/she might deem fit to fill this vacancy, and Congress shall, by a vote of two thirds select the person to fill this vacancy.