Despite a lack of consensus among legal commentators, there is a clear answer to the debate about whether judges should be elected or appointed. America is a democracy; it is only right that the American people should get to elect all judges. Like the legislative and executive branches of government, the judicial branch functions to provide services to the American people. Those very people deserve to elect their judges just as they elect members of Congress and the president. One of the keys to democracy is having a responsible and responsive government. Judges will be neither responsible nor responsive unless they must face the American people periodically and ask for their votes.

1. How would you frame the issue and conclusion of this essay?
2. What ethical norms does the author primarily rely on in arguing for why judges should be elected?
3. Part of being a critical thinker is avoiding the temptation to dichotomize (look at everything as an either-or situation) and to look for other reasonable alternatives. Does the author engage in any dichotomous thinking? If so, what are other reasonable alternatives?
Clue: What either-or situations does the author create, and are there third and fourth possibilities?
4. Write an essay that someone who holds an opinion opposite to that of the essay author might write.
Clue: What other ethical norms could influence an opinion on this issue?