Well, How Much Is A Fair Judge Worth?

How do you go about getting a fair judge? What makes a good judge? In West Virginia an executive of a coal company gave three million to a judges campaign. When the judge got elected he promptly reversed a 45 million decision against that coal company. The Supreme court later found that to be wrong and apparently chastised the judge as well. It does point out one bad way to get a bad judge. Hold elections for judges. Why is that so bad? Because it turns judges into politicians. Need I say more? In a number of states, outside interest groups are pouring money into state judicial elections turning them into knock down drag out political contests. Is that how we should choose who becomes a judge? I mean, I don't even think it's a good way to decide who should govern us. If you don't live in the area to be served, you shouldn't be allowed to decide who will be elected. Or to say it another way, if you're not allowed to vote for that person, you shouldn't be allowed to contribute to that person's campaign. Of course that would eliminate corporations, but why should corporations be allowed to have a say? Their owners and employees already have that right, if they can vote for that person. Getting back to choosing judges, another bad way to get fair judges is to have them appointed by Governors or state legislators or even Presidents and Senates. Why not? Because they're politicians. Need I say more? So how do you get fair judges? I'm not sure, but there should be a way to find people who are qualified and able to be fair. Maybe some combination of local Law Bars (as opposed to corner bars) and legal scholars, and elected members at large, should be formed into a committee to elect the judges. Just don't pay them, and don't tell anybody who they are.