Charles Shiflett Column July 11, 2004

The Powers That Be Are Watching

We humans are a funny lot, especially when it comes to setting priorities. I know guys who can rattle
off sports statistics for hours, yet if asked about their retirement accounts - they have no clue about
their investments. Unfortunately, the sports stats aren't going to pay the bills in old age

Others can tell you all about their favorite entertainment stars. They know where they were born, whom
they're romancing, and numerous intimate details about their lives - yet they don't even know who their
own next-door neighbors are.

The priorities game gets the best of many, but one area where it has reached epidemic proportions is
politics. With government taking almost half of all we earn, and continually implementing laws that
impact every facet of our lives - you would think most folks would care. Alas, you would be wrong.

I recently watched one of these TV features where a reporter randomly stops citizens on the sidewalk
and asks them simple questions about elected officials. You would be amazed at how many people
didn't know who the vice-president is. Some even had no clue who the president is! Of course once
you dropped down to tougher questions like whom their senators or congressmen are, you saw some
good impersonations of a deer caught in headlights. The scary part is some of these people actually
claim to vote!

In smaller communities, most citizens pay some attention to those elected officials who directly
impact their lives. Have a problem with your child's school? Call your school board member. Have
problems with drainage in your neighborhood? Call your mayor or county commissioner. Maybe there's
a problem with your car tag or property tax bill - talk to the tax commissioner.

However, there is one group of elected officials that is exercising increasing influence upon your life
and I doubt you can name more than a couple of the seven members. Did you guess the Georgia
Supreme Court? There's a dirty little secret involving Georgia's highest judiciary - of the seven
members, how many were first elected to this elected position? None!

Each of Georgia's seven Supreme Court Justices were initially appointed to office instead of being
elected as our State Constitution allows. You see, the "powers that be" believe John Q Public is too
dumb to properly select those who would head the state's judiciary. Over the years, it has been an
unwritten rule that whenever a justice retires -he would do so before expiration of his term. That way,
the sitting governor could appoint the replacement. This gives the new appointee the power of
incumbency when he finally has to face the voters down the road.

Non-partisan in nature, judicial elections take place during the summer Primary when most voters are
not paying attention and it has been extremely rare for a sitting judge at almost any level to be
defeated - but that may be changing. With hot issues like homosexual marriage coming to the
forefront, the public is gradually beginning to understand the importance of electing judges who will
uphold the intentions of our nation's founders.

Giving added impetus to judicial change is a 2002 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that takes the muzzle off
judicial elections and allows challengers to raise issues that until now have been off limits. If we are
going to elect judges, then we have every right to know where they stand on important issues. No
more hiding behind the secret veil of impartial justice.

If a judge believes the Second Amendment can be severely limited, I want to know. If he or she
believes homosexual marriage should be legal, I want to know. If a judge believes in legislating from
the bench, I want to know.

Unlike our Federal courts, where appointees hold the office for life, we here in Georgia have been
afforded a great power to choose our judiciary. It will take several election cycles to clean out suspect
judges, and the aforementioned "powers that be" are scared. The judicial gravy train could be coming
to an end, and more importantly - liberal activism may be reigned in.

The first shot at removing a liberal from the Georgia Supreme Court comes this month when incumbent
Leah Sears faces a strong challenge from conservative Grant Brantley. Defeat Sears and the state's
highest court is returned to the people. This election is not about race or gender - it's about right and
wrong.

Sears received the endorsement of Georgia Equality, the state's largest gay rights group. This is the
organization that nearly blocked the gay marriage amendment from appearing on this November's
ballot and is gearing up to defeat it this fall. If you believe marriage is an institution between one man
and one woman, then Brantley's bid to replace Sears is vital. Whether you choose a Democrat or
Republican ballot this month, you will vote in these non-partisan judicial elections. Choose wisely - the
"powers that be" are watching.