A tiny, unelected, unknown commission gathers in secret to decide who will hold a few of the most powerful positions in the government public officials who will make decisions affecting the lives of millions. The people never even know who is being considered for these important jobs until after they are appointed. After these powerful officials serve eight years, the people are allowed to vote “yes” or “no” whether they should remain on the job. It is illegal for anyone to run against them.

Before the people mark their ballots, another unelected commission prepares a report announcing what a great job is being done by the officials appointed by the first secret commission and instructs the people to keep them in office. The people dutifully obey. In the past 37 years, 99.3% of these officials are retained; since 1971, only one has ever lost office.

These are the kind of “election” results that would have made members of the old Soviet Politburo blush. But this isn’t an example of how top government officials were chosen in the Soviet Union, it’s how Tennessee picks judges for the highest courts in the state.

Read another take by David Fowler of the Family Action Council of Tennessee at Bill Hobbs’ blog.