More Grumbling About “Merit” Selection in Missouri
January 19, 2012
Discontent over judges and the system for choosing them continues to build in Missouri, the birthplace of “merit” selection. The latest flashpoint: A plan by six appeals court judges to gerrymander state congressional districts. Senator Kevin Engler points out that the boundaries of three districts are suspiciously contorted right around his house, with one cutting right across the home of a neighbor. “That house is in, that house is out. Who would do that,” Engler asks?
The more important question is why – but we’ll never know the answer. According to news reports, the “judicial panel deliberated in secret, insisting it wasn’t subject to the state Sunshine Law.” Such is the arrogance of judges chosen by “merit” – rather than by the people or their elected representatives.
Senator Brad Lager suggests the judges’ actions “definitely strengthened the argument and gave fuel to the initiative to bring reasonable reform” to “merit” selection scheme that has been completely captured by special interest groups like Missouri trial lawyers association. Among the changes being discussed: Adding more ordinary citizens to the nominating panels so elite lawyers won’t completely control the process. The Missouri Bar, needless to say, is fighting every reform proposal.
Senate President Pro Tem Rob Mayer has pledged to bring “more transparency and accountability” to the process. In the meantime, the actions of Missouri’s judges continue to confirm that “merit” selection has utterly failed to remove politics from the judiciary, while giving Missourians judges who believe they are above any oversight from the public they serve.