The Best Judges Money Can Buy.

Sounds kinda like a line from a bad gangster movie. Chief Justice Roberts is warning that "Pay for federal judges is so inadequate that it threatens to undermine the judiciary's independence."

"Inadequate compensation directly threatens the viability of life tenure, and if tenure in office is made uncertain, the strength and independence judges need to uphold the rule of law -- even when it is unpopular to do so -- will be seriously eroded," Roberts wrote.

According to records, Federal district court judges are paid $165,200 annually; appeals court judges make $175,100; associate justices of the Supreme Court earn $203,000; the chief justice gets $212,100. Now don't get me wrong, I believe in getting a fair shake for your bucks, but when compared to private practice, these salaries are shameful! The Republicans blocke Dem efforts to address this, and for what reason other than to undermine the courts "superiority", so to speak?

Legislation languished in Congress in 2006 that would have provided a 16 percent increase in federal judges' salaries. The bill was introduced by Democratic Sens. Dianne Feinstein of California, Patrick Leahy of Vermont and John Kerry of Massachusetts.

OK, so I am usually for the litle guy, keep it simple, play it down etc.,...BUT, this is our freakin' Constitution we're talking about here, I want some people who make at least as much as your Jr. College ambulance chasers on my side!