Sometimes, judges mystify me.

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I admit it, I have a degree in government/political science. Much of what I learned was based on how concepts are SUPPOSED to be implemented when it comes to governing. Some of it was political philosophy, or how some believe that their perspective is the one that should be followed.

So, when I open up a newspaper and see a headline that says "Judge says tax increase should have been considered to balance county's budget," I have to ask myself: "What kind of a moron would say such a thing... and why would a newspaper report it?

Judges have a certain amount of power under our governmental system. They certainly interpret the laws they're asked to, well, judge. But in this instance, this judge's take on what the county "should" have done is just his opinion, no more worthy of consideration than, say, Joe Sixpack's complaints that taxes are too high.

How the Cowlitz County Commissioners resolved their budget shortfall is really none of this judge's business; much like how this judge were to rule in, say, a given murder trial on the admissibility of a weapon is none of the commissioner's business.

That the commissioners made this decision is not subject to Judge Jim Warme's review or approval. If the Judge would like to enter into the business of government, then he should feel free to engage in running for the position of county commissioner like anyone else.

As long as the actions of the commissioners concerning policies, budgets and personnel are LEGAL, then the judges should exercise their judicial discretion and keep quiet. Were the commissioners, or any commissioner, to publicly criticize a judge's decisions in areas that do not apply to them, these same judges would flip out and loose their minds.

This should apply particularly to judges who should be setting the example for ALL government employees by accepting pay cuts as they do their part to help out in this time of recession.

This judge feels himself to be above all that.

While I do not live in Cowlitz County, I certainly hope that when the time comes to re-elect this guy, I certainly hope that the people of that county remember this judicial arrogance and toss him onto the ash-heap of local political history.

Judge says tax increase should have been considered to balance county's budget

Sunday, April 26, 2009 8:34 AM PDT

By Barbara LaBoe

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Another Superior Court Judge is questioning how Cowlitz County commissioners resolved a $4.5 million budget shortfall, saying taxpayers should have been asked to raise taxes instead of making county employees bear the brunt.

A commissioner replied that Judge Jim Warme’s suggestions are unrealistic and uninformed.

Warme said late last week that he didn’t think the commissioners' 10-percent, across-the-board cuts were appropriate or fair. Instead, he said interest-bearing warrants should have been issued in the short term, and voters should have been asked to help as well.

“This is government,” Warme said. “It’s supposed to be government paid for by the people. If everyone increased their tax burden, sales tax or property tax by 5 percent, then the problem is passed around by everyone and not borne by the people working at the county.”

Warme said he understands raising taxes might not be popular right now but said cutting county salaries and programs isn’t “fair or very courageous or appropriate.”

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