We elect - and re-elect - scoundrels in wearying numbers here in Tennessee, and Memphis in particular. We have a city councilman - a former co-worker - who is a convicted felon (bribery) who was reelected after he completed his sentence. And at the very top, we had a governor go directly to jail several years ago. Fred Thompson (the lawyer and former senator who plays a lawyer on TV) made his name on that case.
But somehow we must learn to keep the failures of these leeches in the public eye, and defeat them when they try to sneak back into office. Ideally, they would withdraw from the race because the public outcry for their defeat would be so plain. What is the message to our children if George Greer is reelected in 2010?
I know that I will never again feel respect for a black robe, and I intend to convey that message to any judge that I ever encounter outside of court. I teach managerial economics, and one of the lessons addresses the need for the government, through the courts, to enforce contracts and property rights. We need courts and judges in order to function as a society, but they are in and of society, not above it.
I sincerely hope Gree is not reelected. If he is, I'll probably feel like joining those who are knocking Florida because of his decision making. People have a tendency to not really know who the judges are that appear on the ballot, but I have a feeling they'll know Greer from now on, so the next election will be telling.
Yes, I agree with you that the black robes do not necessarily guarantee wisdom on the part of the wearer, there are bad judges, a couple even having made it to the Supreme Court.
Also agree with you on contract law and property rights, two things at the very basis of freedom.