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[Bohandas]

Yeah, so don't have the judges elected. Bam, problem solved.

instead, elected officials would appoint the judges, and that hasn't worked out well for us in the past,

Maybe they should be selected randomly.

[Darvi]

Jury duty, but for judges.

[smjjames]

You know, have any countries gone through something like a hard crash which rearranges their political system? I know theres Russia, but not that disastrous. I don't think the US has gone through anything like that politically, within living memory anyway.

Germany. We're the prime example for the phoenix-like rebirth of a civilized society.

A friend of mine likes to argue that the US has so many political problems because it has never lost a war, and thus never was forced to adopt radical changes. Remember, Prussia only became a modern state after being beaten into a pulp and then occupied by Napoleon - and sixty years later, it was mopping the floor with some of the most powerful states in Europe.

We have lost wars, Vietnam in particular, but it's more that we've never lost one which ended up with an occupying army and our homeland trashed. Well okay, the British did give us a black eye back in 1812, but if they weren't busy with Napoleon, it could have been worse.

[smeeprocket]

A friend of mine likes to argue that the US has so many political problems because it has never lost a war, and thus never was forced to adopt radical changes. Remember, Prussia only became a modern state after being beaten into a pulp and then occupied by Napoleon - and sixty years later, it was mopping the floor with some of the most powerful states in Europe.

I pretty much agree with this. Americans crow a lot about America because we've never tangibly had our asses handed to us. It is a mentality I'd love to punch a large, bloody fist hole through. And I live here. I'm so sick of hearing about how exceptional we are despite the data showing we're not. The only exceptional things America does anymore is: entertainment (depending on what kind we're talking about) and making war.

RE: Judges. I don't think the problem is that they're elected by popular vote.

It's that most people don't pay attention to what they do, and tend to rubber stamp them on election ballots when their time comes. I know I've done that. Below the primary candidates for office, and the special issues on the ballot, you get a lot of places for voting on minor county/state officials, and judges. I don't know these people, usually, what their politics are or what they've done. I think that reflects the experience of most American voters. Judges get a pass often because, unless they make the news for saying something really stupid or abusing their powers obviously in court, no one cares.

I generally agree with the principle that judges should be elected rather than appointed so they can retain their judicial independence....but I feel like they need special elections all their own, divorced from the usual county/state elections. That might give both media and the people more time to figure out who these people are, and whether they deserve a vote.

Considering how America handled 9/11, I would be seriously terrified of the behavior if we ever got beat on our home turf. Americans be crazy and armed.

[smeeprocket]

You know, have any countries gone through something like a hard crash which rearranges their political system? I know theres Russia, but not that disastrous. I don't think the US has gone through anything like that politically, within living memory anyway.

Germany. We're the prime example for the phoenix-like rebirth of a civilized society.

A friend of mine likes to argue that the US has so many political problems because it has never lost a war, and thus never was forced to adopt radical changes. Remember, Prussia only became a modern state after being beaten into a pulp and then occupied by Napoleon - and sixty years later, it was mopping the floor with some of the most powerful states in Europe.

We have lost wars, Vietnam in particular, but it's more that we've never lost one which ended up with an occupying army and our homeland trashed. Well okay, the British did give us a black eye back in 1812, but if they weren't busy with Napoleon, it could have been worse.

Canada also set fire to the white house, though we rarely talk about that in school.

I'm still nursing a grudge, though.

[penguinofhonor]

.

[Sheb]

Britain doesn't remember because it was just "Random Colonial War #18453"

[smeeprocket]

Jury duty, but for judges.

I missed these two posts, and they are brilliant.

Random CitizenA you have been selected for judge duty!

I mean, it couldn't be any worse, could it? I'm pretty sure half the judges don't know jack about law, anyway.

[Darvi]

Britain doesn't remember be-

SQUIRREL!

[Frumple]

Judges get a pass often because, unless they make the news for saying something really stupid or abusing their powers obviously in court, no one cares.

... can't speak for what people actually do, but the sentiment I hear the most often in this area is "vote 'em out", pretty much in regards to every position that isn't in contention. If incumbent == kick out seems to be the default rhetoric, at the very least. Folks seem to want judges (everything, really, when it's a yes/no thing) to cycle fairly often.

[Levi]

Jury duty, but for judges.

I missed these two posts, and they are brilliant.

Random CitizenA you have been selected for judge duty!

I mean, it couldn't be any worse, could it? I'm pretty sure half the judges don't know jack about law, anyway.

Demarchy will always be the best way to do things.     It may occasionally suffer from incompetence, but at least it won't suffer from corruption.

[scriver]

Europe... doesn't have juries? I thought only South Africa did that.

Sweden has "named men" (or "appointed men", less literally) that are supposed to assist the judges and represent the viewpoint of the common man. It is a holdover from medieval times when the judges were in the service of the king (with all the bias that entails) and the named men were people whose wisdom and sense the people had confidence in. These days it is done through appointment by the most local level of the government as opposed to direct vote.

Europe... doesn't have juries? I thought only South Africa did that.

QED, my dear

Do you realize his knowledge of European systems was only relevant in your own head? It was the American system that was being discussed.

[smeeprocket]

Jury duty, but for judges.

I missed these two posts, and they are brilliant.

Random CitizenA you have been selected for judge duty!

I mean, it couldn't be any worse, could it? I'm pretty sure half the judges don't know jack about law, anyway.

Demarchy will always be the best way to do things.     It may occasionally suffer from incompetence, but at least it won't suffer from corruption.

It would be like an Idiocracry justice system. It could be covered by Fox News Sports or something. Also, make the defendant fight live tigers at some point.

[smeeprocket]

Europe... doesn't have juries? I thought only South Africa did that.

Sweden has "named men" (or "appointed men", less literally) that are supposed to assist the judges and represent the viewpoint of the common man. It is a holdover from medieval times when the judges were in the service of the king (with all the bias that entails) and the named men were people whose wisdom and sense the people had confidence in. These days it is done through appointment by the most local level of the government as opposed to direct vote.

Europe... doesn't have juries? I thought only South Africa did that.

QED, my dear

Do you realize his knowledge of European systems was only relevant in your own head? It was the American system that was being discussed.

I am a she.

[scriver]

That is good to know for future reference but I'm not sharp enough to tell what in my post you are responding to