Friday, 11 July 2008

The Problem With Judicial Races

I have long thought that judges should be selected and not elected. It is nearly impossible for the electorate to determine which judicial candidates are the best or at least qualified for the office they are running. Instead we are left with what is a popularity contest which generally goes to the better funded candidates.

We see another example of this year in Louisville's district judge race. Metro councilman Jim King is trying to buy his daughter the title judge. Katie King at the age of 29 is not qualified to be a judge. She barely meets the minimum requirements and has spent a measly three years as an assistant attorney in Irv Maze's office. It wouldn't surprise me if she got the initial job because of King's influence.

Regardless, it looks like Ms. King has been caught up in a bit of lovers spat that included a 911 call.

An assistant county attorney who is running for district judge in Jefferson County was the subject of a March "911" call from a former boyfriend who said she was trying to break into his house.

The recording shows that the ex-boyfriend of Katie King called MetroSafe Communications on March 14 and said King was "yelling through the door" and "acting like an idiot."

Louisville Metro Police responded to the home of John Otter in the 300 block of Sprite Road, but King had left before they arrived, according to dispatch calls.

The story would be inconsequential if these events happened 20 years ago. Instead they happened this year. While I am sure the 911 call was not serious, it demonstrates the immaturity that happens between 20 somethings. I understand these types of events are learning events for young people. I just don't want someone this green and inexperienced with life sitting as a judge.

All of which returns to my original argument. Judges should be appointed by elected officials. We can hold the officials accountable for the quality of their selections. That would at least eliminate the crap shoot element of judicial elections. While we might not get the best of judges in the world, we would probably avoid the dregs who sometimes get elected.

Posted by brians at 5:31 PM in Louisville Politics
Responses (1)

Saturday, 5 July 2008

Rev Louis Coleman Dies

The civil right's activist, Rev Louis Coleman, passed away this morning at the age of 64. While I have rarely, if ever, agreed with his politics, I still respect him for standing up and fighting for what he believed was right.

My prayers go out to his family in their time of grief.

Posted by brians at 4:04 PM in Louisville Politics
Responses (0)

Wednesday, 9 April 2008

Yarmuth!'s Bad Idea

Yarmuth! during his brief tenure in Congress has done little to help funding for the major bridge projects in Louisville. Trying to look like he is "doing something about it", he has decided to jump on board a really bad idea. A federal bank used exclusively to pay for major transportation projects.

Congress should pass a second economic stimulus package that would include a new federal bank to pay for major transportation projects like the Ohio River bridges, according to U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth. Advertisement

"We have the potential to make a historic investment in the long-term economic growth of this country by establishing a federal bank to accelerate billions of dollars in long-overdue infrastructure projects," Yarmuth, D-3rd District, wrote in a letter yesterday to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., urging her to pursue the idea.

A federal infrastructure bank would obtain money from investors in exchange for a guaranteed rate of return. The investment money would in turn be made available for projects.

The bank would be nothing but a scheme to free up money in the budget so they can spend it elsewhere. The way it would work is simple. Investor A would put $1,000,000 in the new found bank. The bank would then use the money to build "infrastructure". In the mean time the bank would pay some rate of return. Let's say it is 5%. Now all they have to do is pay $50,000 in interest each year for use of the $1,000,000. That would free up $950,000 in the budget. Basically, it is a "creative" way to take on more debt so politicians in DC can spend more money.

Heck Yarmuth! even admits as much.

The bank would answer that problem. At the same time, using private investment money on projects could free up more traditional sources of federal money for other projects, Yarmuth said.

What scares me the most about Yarmuth! is not this silly liberal idea, but his fundamental lack of understanding of basic economics. Check out this quote.

Kentucky "has been doing everything it can to fund this project," Yarmuth wrote. "However, the federal government has a responsibility to assist in the completion of this and other national initiatives. This responsibility presents Congress with an extraordinary opportunity to generate long-term economic growth, create jobs, and rebuild our nation."

The last sentence is unbelievable. Government spending money is going to create long-term economic growth and create jobs? He can't be serious? Government doesn't "create jobs". It just takes money from the productive parts of society and redistributes it to fill some perceived need. While government might employee some people through these efforts, the loss of jobs from the private sector is much greater.

The dynamic is the natural result from the removal of capital from free markets. The money going to feed the bumbling government is money that could have been invested in profitable private companies. Those investments would have created jobs as companies try to find ways to expand profit. Productive jobs that would be better for the long term growth of our country than short term government jobs.

I think Yarmuth! should take some basic economics courses. If not then voters need to send him packing in the fall. Hopefully it will happen before his ignorance can damage our nation's fragile economy.

Posted by brians at 10:48 PM in Louisville Politics
Responses (0)

Tuesday, 8 April 2008

Northup Likely to Face Yarmuth In Fall

Polling came out on the 3rd congressional Republican primary. They show Northup comfortably ahead. She is leading her nearest rival Theineman by 68 points (79-11). A lead that is insurmountable with less than two months to go. Her win will set up an interesting rematch this fall.

Two things will be different this time around. As it stands right now, it looks like McCain will win Kentucky easily in the fall. (I wouldn't be surprised if McConnell doesn't win as easily). The success of McCain's campaign should soften the anti-Republican sentiment that was so overwhelming two years ago. Even with the strong tide back then, Yarmuth was only able to squeak out slim margin of victory. The playing field will be more level this time swinging the advantage back to her.

Secondly, Yarmuth now has a voting record. One that is very liberal. Northup should be able to draw a sharp contrast with her more moderate record in Congress and his extreme Liberalism.

Personally, I think the race is very winnable for Northup. A contest that will likely prove a barometer for the rest of the country. If Northup can regain her seat it should bode well for Republicans nationally. If not, then the Republicans are probably going to suffer another bad year.

Posted by brians at 10:32 PM in Louisville Politics
Responses (0)

Thursday, 31 January 2008

Thieneman Drops Out

Some political stories are stranger than others. The story of Thieneman dropping out of the 3rd congressional district falls into the more strange than others category.

Thieneman has claimed to be pressured by people close to McConnell and Northup to drop out of the race. How does he respond? Well, by deciding to drop out of the race. In the process he criticized the Republican establishment for trying to control the election. But he didn't stop there. He inexplicably decided to switch parties and endorse Yarmuth!

Maybe he has a point about the Republican establishment, but we will never know because his credibility on the issue is gone. He gets a little pressure from the Republican party, freaks out, and becomes a Democrat? Why would he join the Democrats when they heavily supported the library tax that he fought hard to defeat? On top of that, why would he decide to run against Yarmuth! and then claim Yarmuth! is doing a good job? To say that his reaction is a bizarre might be an understatement.

Regardless, I am glad he threw this conniption fit. Obviously he never had the temperament to run or hold a political office. Better find out now than before it is too late.

Posted by brians at 2:48 PM in Louisville Politics
Responses (0)

Friday, 18 January 2008

Louisville: 0 - 2 In Last Two Elections

In 2006, Louisville elected Yarmuth! to Congress and what did they get in return? Nothing. Yarmuth! has been unable to acquire any additional funds for the faltering bridge project. A project that is imensely important for Louisville's growth.

In 2007, Louisville played a huge part in electing Beshear. What are they going to get in return? I bet you can guess. Yup. Nothing. Beshear's administration has decided they are no longer going to fund the bridge project.

Facing tough times for Kentucky’s road fund, Transportation Secretary Joe Prather said today he favors alternative ways of paying for the Ohio River Bridges Project and other large road and bridge ventures.

I think it is funny that Louisville has voted Democratic in the last two elections and now the bridge project is receiving zero funding. That doesn't seem like a very good return on investment.

Interestingly enough, it appears that Louisville might get a chance for redemption this year. Leading Republican Congressional candidate, Erwin Roberts, has been called up by his Army Reserve unit and will not be able to seek election. On Thursday, Roberts officially withdrew from the race.

These unexpected developments has opened the door for a Northup comeback. She is seriously contemplating jumping into the race which would set up a potential rematch with Yarmuth!.

Early polling shows that a race between Yamuth! and Northup would be as tight as it was two years ago. I am sure the prospects does not make team Yarmuth! all that happy.

I would love to see Norhtup retake her seat. She is a wonderful person and a hard worker. In addition her moderate politics are a perfect fit for Louisville. I wish her the best of luck.

Posted by brians at 12:00 AM in Louisville Politics
Responses (3)