that no judge will point out is that the Constitution gives federal judges life tenure. In theory, this makes judges independent. In reality it keeps inept judges on the bench. Currently, the only way to remove a federal judge is by Congressional impeachment.

Life expectancy has increased dramatically since the Constitution was enacted. A life appointment made then might have meant a fifteen-year judgeship. Now it can be a forty-year appointment, or more. A Constitutional amendment providing for judicial terms of ten years (with five years of additional salary for retirement or for a buffer period) would give judges independence while instituting new energy into the judiciary. An excellent judge could serve ten years at the district court level, ten at the appellate level, and ten at the Supreme Court. No judge would be allow...

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