Not that it matters to those it should matter most to in Tallahassee, but since 1976 we’ve had a nonpartisan “merit retention” system in this state for the governor’s appointed justices that has been working well, thank you. The MR system, in play every six years, weeds out the corrupt. Vetting takes care of qualifications before governors make their appointments.
The system works as intended even though decisions don’t please everybody. Of course, they don’t. It’s what happens when an independent judiciary goes about its business.
But if Amendment 5 passes next month, we would have a Legislature, already top-heavy in right-wing ideology, with the power to, among other things, confirm gubernatorial justice and judge appointments–to the Supreme Court and the appellate courts–and repeal court rules by a simple majority vote. In effect, we would have a judiciary morphing into another political branch of Florida government. Anybody likely have this in mind back in 1976?
Meanwhile, there is a disturbing, orchestrated, Republican PAC-financed effort underway to remove the three Supreme Court Justices up for merit retention next month. It’s unprecedented, high-handed payback by the state Republican party, outgoing House Speaker Dean Cannon and the usual accomplices who never got over some decisions not going their way. Justices R. Fred Lewis, Barbara J. Pariente and Peggy A. Quince have served honorably and have never had their integrity questioned, something that cannot be said of the loose Cannon, the Koch Brothers and others out to undermine the independence of the Florida judiciary. Justices Lewis, Pariente and Quince deserve better than shameless, political targeting.
Even more to the point, the citizens of Florida deserve better than a Supreme Court in jeopardy of being subject to political intimidation and power grabs. As well as one that could feature three Rick Scott appointees. We’re still stuck with Gov. Scott for two more years, but it’s unconscionable to think he could get the opportunity to add further to an onerous legacy that only begins with the high-speed rail debacle.