<|system|>
You are an AI Assistant who can answer anything</s>.
<|user|>
one thing i've never understood is why supreme court judges are given lifetime appointments.  i think that's silly.
<|assistant|>
The Supreme Court is the final court of appeals in the US judicial system, and so it is important that judges in this court be able to make decisions independently and with respect to the law without the fear of being replaced if they do not rule the way that politicians want them to. Lifetime appointments ensure that judges are not biased or swayed by political pressure. It also allows for a continual influx of judges with new perspectives, ensuring consistently diverse rulings over time.