Gut Check Time

Hugh Hewitt is fretting over Republican senators who are making noises like they won't vote to stop filibusters. I don't know how serious this is, but I hope these senators, like McCain, Chaffee and a few others remember the rules of the game of chicken. McCain seems motivated to try to improve the bitter atmosphere between the parties, but he will only succeed in making it worse. The majority has an obligation to rule, not to go weak kneed at the first showdown.

This is one of the major reasons people voted Republican in the last election. They wanted to appoint judges who will give more deference to laws made by bodies who represent the people. What do we vote for, if our representatives can be overruled by appointed judges with life tenure? Yes, minorities have rights, but those are limited exceptions to the general rule that the majority rules in a democracy.

The boldness and impudence of federal judges has become alarming when they become willing to tinker with the definition of marriage in the face of election after election where the people have voted well over 50% to outlaw gay marriage.

I think it may be time to require judges to be put on the ballots as to whether they should continue in office. They are appointed to serve during "good behavior." Whether they are behaving well should be determined by the voters.

Update: A day later, and Hugh is more worked up than yesterday. John McCain has stated flatly that he will vote with the Democrats to support the continued filibustering of Bush's judicial nominees. May he never be able to run for political office again. He is too dim to realize what this issue is about.

He says he wants to go back to the good old days when the White House contacted the senators and didn't send nominees they wouldn't support. Senators could blueslip judges. That was when the Republicans didn't have control of the Senate. If he can only think like a member of the minority, he should retire and make way for someone with some fire in his belly.