Associate Justice Confirmation Hearing: Bullmoose88 (Confirmed)

[Sam Spade]

The President having nominated Bullmoose88 to serve as Associate Justice, this Senate hearing is hereby convened such that it may consider the nomination.

[Sam Spade]

Bullmoose has my full support. 

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

He has my support as well—an excellent choice.

[Ebowed]

I would ask the nominee if he agrees with the decision striking down the federal minimum wage as unconstitutional.

[bullmoose88]

I respectfully ask the Senator for more clarification.  Its been a very long week, and at the moment, I am having some difficulties understanding the exact nature of what he wishes to know.

And I'd rather not assume a certain meaning, and actually answer a different question.

[Ebowed]

In Bono v. Atlasia II, the Supreme Court found a federal bill mandating a minimum wage to be unconstitutional.  Do you agree with the decision, or the dissent, or take another line of thinking?

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[bullmoose88]

Thank you Senator for your assistance.

I'll preface my remarks by disclosing, disclosing probably is not the right word...reminding everyone of my stance on the federal minimum wage as a matter of public policy and as an economic lever...simply put I disfavor it...vehemently so.

However, my objections are philosophical and economic in nature and I think it is clear the inherent assumption in my arguments on the matter that there is no doubt that, in real life, the Federal Government can impose a minimum wage, as unfortunate as that choice may or may not be. But that is a different question.

The question asked is if I agree with Part X of the Court's ruling in Bono v. Atlasia...

My reply is that I do not.  I simply cannot agree, and find myself in great agreement with Mr. Justice Ernest on this question, with the conclusion "Labor is not a tradable good, and one may not own the right to another’s labor as their property. The Federal Government may only regulate items of commerce under Article I Section 5 Clause 9, not all commerce itself. "

In my opinion, labor is a tradeable good...and for the reasons later mentioned by Mr. Justice Ernest, I would have dissented on that part of the opinion.  The Fair Wage Act, in my view, is not unconstitutional.  (To use a double negative)


I thank the senator for his question

[Ebowed]

I thank the nominee for his answer.

I would also like to know what your opinion is on the idea of instating term limits or mandatory, annual reconfirmation hearings upon members of the Supreme Court.  (This should be my final question.)

[bullmoose88]

Senator,

I personally am against the idea of reconfirmation hearings or some sort of retention election.  The judiciary needs to be insulated as a branch and its rulings need to be free from the capricious whims of the electorate.  As for term limits, they tend to work against the need for an experienced and capable bench.

That said, the Atlasian Senate (or the people) needs some ability to remove those justices who don't do their jobs.  I am unsure what the best way to enable them to do so, I leave those matters to you and your fellow senators.  I just do not believe that the benefits of the infusion of the political process outweigh the risks of turning the bench into an even larger political animal.

Thank you.

[PBrunsel]

Bullmoose is an outstanding Atlasian, he has my support.

[Sam Spade]

As 24 hours have now passed since debate ended, I am now motioning for a vote on the nominee.

[Sam Spade]

We are now voting on the confirmation of Bullmoose88 for the position of Associate Justice.

Please vote Aye, Nay or Abstain.

[Hatman 🍁]

Aye

[Brandon H]

Aye

[Ebowed]

Aye

[minionofmidas]

Absolutely.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Aye

[PBrunsel]

Aye

[Small Business Owner of Any Repute]

Aye.

[Јas]

Having garnered a majority of votes in favour, bullmoose88 is hereby confirmed by the Senate to the position of Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.

Final Vote on Confirmation
Aye: 7 (Earl; Brandon; Ebowed; Lewis; Al; PBrunsel; Moderate)
Nay: 0
Abstain [Didn't Vote]: 3 (DWTL; Rob; Sam)

[Colin]

I would like to thank the Senate for the speedy confirmation and I would like to wish Justice Bullmoose the best on the court.