Elected vs appointed offices

[Hababi]

Which offices should be elected, which should be appointed?

I'm really tired of political campaigns for judges. These people are supposed to be above politics, as impartial dispensers of judicial wisdom, but they're stuck raising money and running ads like any ol' politician. Then, they get into office and are beholden to the special interests that gave them money. Hmmm conflict of interest, anyone?

So, here's my proposal: if you're not casting votes, you're not elected. Judges, attorney general's, coroner's, district attorney's, sheriff's etc. all appointed, not elected.

[Danger Bird]

Yes, but the politicians who owe something to special interests will just appoint sympathetic judges. The only way you can really avoid this problem is full dictatorship.

[lunchforthesky]

Appointed by who???

[griftadan]

the way it's done at the federal level?

[SoulSeekerz]

Appointments won't work. Too much politics, neopotism, you scratch my back, I'll scatch yours kinda scenario.
Most people who are appointed can be bought and manipulated by special interests, and powerful individuals.

[griftadan]

it's probably naive to think that special interest in politics can be limited

[Smokey D]

Judges should be appointed. It's retarded that they don't have to be.

I think there are lots offices that should be appointed to, and others elected. If we discharge someone with the authority to govern our lives, we shouldn't balk at discharging them with the authority to appoint other offices (they probably know better than most people who should do what) as long as it is transperent and tightly regulated.

[Reaganista]

guys this is how small groups of completely whacked-out fruitcakes saturate a government

which is of course why zerokewl favors it
the way it's done at the federal level?
you're doing a hell of a job, brownie

[Hababi]

guys this is how small groups of completely whacked-out fruitcakes saturate a government

which is of course why zerokewl favors it

you're doing a hell of a job, brownie

Brown got approved by Congress. And, it'd be another situation of the proposed person being approved by another body.

[Reaganista]

i don't see your point

brown was most assuredly never elected

[Hababi]

i don't see your point

brown was most assuredly never elected

There was still a vetting process and Democrats found little in his resume to complain about. It's as much on them for not paying closer attention to the idiots Bush was choosing for such positions (though in truth, FEMA had been a dumping zone for fairly incompetent cronies for a while).

[Reaganista]

ok sure it could be entirely the fault of the democrats if you want it to I don't care

I don't see how any of this partisan stuff applies at all to your original argument though

[Hababi]

ok sure it could be entirely the fault of the democrats if you want it to I don't care

I don't see how any of this partisan stuff applies at all to your original argument though

My point is to have governors choose state attorney generals, and have them subject to the approval of the state senate. Same for any state-wide type branch. And have County executives or whatever other county-wide authority choose the county offices, subject to the approval of some other body.

[Reaganista]

yeah but that's how small groups of completely whacked-out fruitcakes saturate a government

and it gives citizens no direct recourse against gross incompetence or complete insanity

[Dave de Sylvia]

Judges should be appointed by other judges.

[Reaganista]

yeah and they could have exotic titles and cute little serfs

[Dave de Sylvia]

Cute little smurfs? What.

[Reaganista]

serfs are like smurfs but taller

[Dave de Sylvia]

Oh. Well they should be elected.