Supreme court justices' book deals and royalty earnings!! Too much side hustle?

https://thehill.com/newsletters/the-gavel/5355605-supreme-court-financial-disclosures/

We are talking millions of dollars in earnings. How much time are these "civil servant" judges expending on book desls; instead of deliberation(s)? All to get royalties?
Several judges have recused themselves from rulings because of ongoing book publishing contracts. Also the salary of a supreme court justice is $277,700 a year; for life. But they need a side hustle? WTF! There should be a law.

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SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

Presumably they are writing books in the first instance because tney have wisdom and subject matter of interest to a large section of the public rather than the money they may earn from those books. Senior public leaders have an ethical obligation to increase public understanding of important issues, so writing books and lecturing could help to fulfil this.

Compare to Trump who deliberately exploits his job for personal gain with no perceptible public benefit.

JonUK41 · 36-40, M

@SunshineGirl

Senior public leaders have an ethical obligation to increase public understanding of important issues, so writing books and lecturing could help to fulfil this.

It could. But did anyone ever say Clinton got rich because he felt an ethical obligation to increase public understanding?

Hard to see that Clinton felt an ethical obligation at any point in his life. He didn't even feel an ethical obligation to not cheat on his wife.

He did like the money he earned exploiting his role as an ex President. That's fair enough but let's not kid ourselves he had an ethical purpose.

SunshineGirl · 36-40, F

@JonUK41 I was contrasting the actions of politicians, who may think they are accountable only to their electorates, with those of public sector professionals who have clear codes of ethics.

jehova · 31-35, M

@SunshineGirl i can only assume that such writings would benefit the public. Yet publishing books on currently ongoing subjects IS a conflict of interests bc of the money being earned in so doing. Similarly with the interest of sales in mind the author , and currently primary executive (president), while still in office might be more likely to engage in dramaticization & pandering to increase sales of what they are producing.

Therefore what you do after being in an officail paid elected position is one thing. Profiting from, commenting on and "seeking viewers\ratings" while working the position you are currently working is sketchy; at best A conflict of interests and per case law and precedent is illegal.
There are laws against exactly this.