This is how I would operate. States rights If a state enforces its laws equally against all citizens then the law will stand. If they fail to enforce it equally, then it will be stuck down Life I would rule against abortion rights I would rule against gun rights Social Programs They would all be deemed legal I would also push for the doctrine of Unity. Before a case it brought to a vote, what ever way the court leaned all justices would be told they must vote the same way, if they didn't they would face administrative punishments. No 5-4 decisions would be happening on my watch.
If I had -control- over SCOTUS, not just Chief Justice, first off, I'd unwind lots of commerce clause mischief of the mid 20th century, reverse Kelo in the process of reinvigorating the 5th Takings Clause, reengineer the "actual malice" standard of NYT v Sullivan to exclude partisan media "entertainment" from press protections against defamation suits. I'd also find ACA unconstitutional and allow states far more leeway in rational abortion regulation. On Day Two...
Administrative punishments? Nothing can stop a justice ruling however they like. They can be impeached, that's about it.
The only question that needs to be answered before taking up a case. How does the Constitution apply to the issue? Nothing else matters.