Is The Public Losing Respect For The Supreme Court ?

In light of some recent Supreme Court decisions, a new Democracy Corps Poll (taken between April 16th and 21st of 1,004 adults nationwide) surveyed the public's opinion of the Supreme Court. They found that 80% of the public disagreed with the Supreme Court decision in Citizens United vs. FEC (which allowed unlimited and secret electoral spending by outside groups). And 51% thought the McCutcheon vs. FEC decision (which removed limits on the amount a person could donate to campaigns in a two-year period) would cause more political corruption. But they also found that the public seems to be losing respect for the Supreme Court.

Only 35% of the public (slightly more than a third) believes the Supreme Court is doing an excellent or good job. Another 39% says they are just doing a fair job, and 24% says they are doing a poor job. Those numbers may not be as bad as the congressional numbers, but they certainly aren't good either. And the second chart shows why -- about 60% of Americans believe the Court allows their personal opinions and politics to influence their decisions instead of following the Constitution.

The poll also queried respondents on some ideas about change for the court. Those are shown in the charts below.

I have to say I would agree with the first three. It makes no sense that the justices of the Supreme Court are immune to the requirement all other federal judges have to follow a set code of ethics. Why do they have no code of ethics. All other government officials must follow a code of ethics or a set of rules, and the Supreme Court should be required to obey the same ethical code as all other federal judges.

And those justices should be required to disclose anything they receive that is paid for by others (transportation, tickets, etc.). We make members of Congress report such "gifts". Why should Supreme Court justices be different. And making justices post their financial disclosures online would help to restore respect for the Court, since any American could log on and check to see if they are being honest.

But I do balk at the last thing in the poll -- eliminating lifetime terms. I'm not at all sure that would be a good idea. What do you think (and remember, this would cut both ways -- affecting both conservative and liberal court members)?