Supreme Court Candidate Essay

The roles of either the Chief Justice of the United States or the associates under him are very important and extremely demanding positions. These are the people who speak for the judicial branch of the federal government and the Chief Justice serves as the chief administrative officer for the federal courts. The Supreme Court is the highest federal court in the United States. Justices of this court are positions that are needed for the health of the government and nation, so it common for innumerable requirements and qualities to be wanted by the general public and placed upon any nominees striving to be on it. This, however, is no excuse for a nominee to act as they please under the guise that they cannot please everyone. It is understandable that they will never be able to meet every person's perceptions of what a 'proper' supreme court nominee should be like, but I believe each nominee should fulfill the basic requirements of integrity, service before themselves, excellence in their duties and to have a love for their position and country. A nominee undoubtedly needs the integrity to function properly in a position in the Supreme Court. As a member of the court, they will
be a part of deciding upon if laws and even the President of the United States are constitutional. Also, the Supreme Court has ultimate jurisdiction over all federal courts and state court cases involving issues of federal law, and it is generally the last interpreter of federal law including the Constitution, but it can only act within the context of a case. Being in a court with this kind of responsibility unquestionably needs high integrity so as to look at each case and with clear honesty so as to not make any biased decisions. As pertaining to the cases they would be presiding over, the next important quality for a nominee to have would be service before themselves.
We need Justices in the courts to put their jobs and the needs of the people before themselves and any of their personal biases. How could a Justice rule accurately to what the people need and what is fair if they do not listen to what is being needed or even outright reject something only on the grounds that their personal beliefs deem it wrong? If a Justice was allowed to do this, black rights would never have been established, the rights for gays to get married would never have passed and women may have never been able to vote or be paid accordingly. Because of issues such as these, we need someone who puts their duties before all
else. In mention to putting obligations before everything else, the third quality I believe is essential for a nominee is having excellence in their duties. I believe we would all agree a Justice would not be fulfilling his job as part of the Supreme Court if they slacked in their work or only half finished any duties. We need someone who puts their all into their work and makes sure it is done with care and quality. The Supreme Court needs Justices who are devoted to fulfilling their jobs to the best of their capabilities. Finally, a nominee would never be a proper contender without this last, and very essential, quality. They must have a love for their positions and, above all, country. If a nominee is not proud of this country they are serving, what would make anyone think that they would serve for the health and well-being of its people? Without the dedication to making their country better in their own way by serving us, a nominee could never hope to succeed into being accepted into the Supreme Court.