Commentary: Fortify the Supreme Court three ways

The Supreme Court has taken some serious hits to its reputation for independence and impartiality in these polarized times.

Since the death of Justice Antonin Scalia, the Senate confirmation process has produced a series of power plays that have led ordinary Americans to wonder whether the justices can function as legitimate arbiters in our system of checks and balances. Without fundamental reform, each new contested nomination to the court will generate yet another wave of alienation.

At the same time, the court has significantly reduced