Now comes an effort in Florida by conservative groups to oust two Florida Supreme Court justices. The danger of such actions is obvious. It continues the misperception in the public mind that courts are simply mouthpieces of the political parties. All Americans ought to denounce such destructive actions wherever they occur. Florida is only the example at hand.
Justice is under siege around the country.
Judicial candidates raise large sums of money from special interests and, in order to curry votes, sometimes declare in advance how they will decide cases. Legislatures, driven more by politics than the law, find ways to punish judges or compel specific judicial rulings. We need elected officials who hold the separation of powers sacred. We need citizens who will denounce those special interests that would subvert justice for their own political or financial gain. The primary outcome of this election should be reforms to preserve the impartiality of the judiciary.