Clarification: Representatives and senators do not have term limits. However, they are subject to re-election after a certain number of years, unlike Supreme Court justices.

Representatives have term limits, senators have term limits, presidents have term limits, governors in certain states have term limits, so why do Supreme Court justices not? Personally, I strongly advocate that they should.

Term limits for individuals in positions of power are important, so people don’t squat in an office for 30, 40 or 50 years. Limits help hold most politicians accountable by giving them a select amount of time to get their job done and prevent them from becoming uncontrollably powerful. 

The Supreme Court’s lack of term limits is not an admirable thing. Without term limits, there will not be any new faces with new mindsets anytime soon; justices will keep voting with their traditional, outdated, partisan-blinded mindset.

Clarence Thomas, for example, is the current oldest sitting justice. He assumed his seat on Oct. 23, 1991. This October, that will mark 35 years. 

Since taking office, he has only voted profoundly conservative. He is constantly voting anti-LGBTQ+, anti-diversity and anti-reproductive rights.

Matter of fact, 82% of democrats, 57% of republicans and 51% of independents believe term limits should be given to justices, rather than life terms. It is just too excessive and permanent.

There is also an excessive amount of partisanship in the court, leading to a public distrust and controversial outlook on the Supreme Court. Term limits are ideal and would create a better, more contemporary image for the court; a court that would more accurately reflect the nation in the present day, rather than 35 years ago.

Ultimately, this would require intense legal work and debate. However, it would be worth it in the long run, and would be a good decision for the well-being of this country. Lifetime term limits are extreme. Eighteen-year term limits would make more sense, and they should not be renewable, as it would eliminate the purpose.

If the Supreme Court of the U.S. was entirely full of old crooks, one would not want them to be serving a life sentence, because then the nation’s interest and well-being would not be at heart.