tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post116291825129488293..comments2023-09-11T08:58:24.710-06:00Comments on Reach Upward: Let the Voters DecideScott Hinrichshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11831447472339880148noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1163177190297442572006-11-10T09:46:00.000-07:002006-11-10T09:46:00.000-07:00watch utcourts.us, change is coming the hard way.watch utcourts.us, change is coming the hard way.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1163004847830842062006-11-08T09:54:00.000-07:002006-11-08T09:54:00.000-07:00I couldn't agree with you more on your concerns ab...I couldn't agree with you more on your concerns about judicial elections and elections of county officers. <BR/><BR/>If county officers such as the assessor, the treasurer, the clerk/auditor and even the surveyor answer only to a few elected commissioners or a county supervisor they can lose much of the independence that serves as a measure of protection to citizens of the county. <BR/><BR/>An easy example of how a problem could arise would be if the assessor could be leaned on by the commissioners to artificially increase the value of new construction or to alter increasing property values the county could get a tax increase without any political fall out for the commissioners/supervisor. <BR/><BR/>We definitely benefit from the independence of these county officers even when they run unopposed.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1162997239376334782006-11-08T07:47:00.000-07:002006-11-08T07:47:00.000-07:00Bob, that sounds like an interesting story. Do yo...Bob, that sounds like an interesting story. Do you care to relate more about it?Scott Hinrichshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11831447472339880148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1162948305419130572006-11-07T18:11:00.000-07:002006-11-07T18:11:00.000-07:00I would prefer a system where the Governor appoint...I would prefer a system where the Governor appoints state judges with a ratification by the State Senate and then after a few years of service, they have to stand for election. The vote is simply up or down. If the judge wins, they get a lifetime appointment. If they lose, the Governor appoints a new one, etc.Charles Dhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02975241234146573609noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1162938635450459462006-11-07T15:30:00.000-07:002006-11-07T15:30:00.000-07:00yes, and not only appalled to see them serving dec...yes, and not only appalled to see them serving decades, but seeing the machinations that manipulations that go into the decision of when to retire... <BR/><BR/>another one of those political footballs...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1162938596420157642006-11-07T15:29:00.000-07:002006-11-07T15:29:00.000-07:00I wrote about this same topic three days ago. I wh...I wrote about this <A HREF="http://lifeovertech.blogspot.com/2006/11/judging-judges.html" REL="nofollow">same topic</A> three days ago. I wholeheartedly agree on both points. The system is correctly set up in letting the voters have a voice in these matters but it is flawed a the lack of useful being widely available. The little bit we get in the voters guide is drastically insufficient.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1162932303572332192006-11-07T13:45:00.000-07:002006-11-07T13:45:00.000-07:00It's funny that you mentioned Lake Woebegon, as I ...It's funny that you mentioned Lake Woebegon, as I was thinking the same thing.<BR/><BR/>Of course, my only real experience inside a courtroom was on my mission, in Minnesota...<BR/><BR/>-BobBobhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04904969537714974512noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1162926319648767722006-11-07T12:05:00.000-07:002006-11-07T12:05:00.000-07:00A study of historical documents reveals that the F...A study of historical documents reveals that the Founders did not anticipate the political influence of the judiciary. Nor did they ever consider the possibility of a Supreme Court justice serving for two decades or more.<BR/><BR/>People would have to achieve a certain stature before being appointed to the court, and by that time they would only have a handful of productive years left, thus, creating a natural term limit. I think the Founders would be appalled today to see justices serving for decades. Some kind of term-limiting mechanism could only lead a better situation.Scott Hinrichshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11831447472339880148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10424035.post-1162922252312766072006-11-07T10:57:00.000-07:002006-11-07T10:57:00.000-07:00Last paragraph: well said. On a similar note, I be...Last paragraph: well said. <BR/><BR/>On a similar note, I believe that the US Supreme Court justices should be held to this or a similar program. If not that, then at least a mandatory retirement age, taking away the political excercise of "retiring" at the most fortuitous moment.<BR/><BR/>I think no one will argue that Dubya's most effective and lasting legacy will be the appointment of two conservative judges during his "presidency".Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com