Elections tilt Wisconsin's high court to the right

[undeterred]

Associated Press
8:39 AM CDT, July 31, 2009

MADISON, Wis. - Conservatives and business groups are hailing the Wisconsin Supreme Court for moving in a more conservative direction in its recent term.

Court watcher James Troupis, a conservative lawyer, says it was a "monumental term." He says the court's new 4-3 conservative majority sent a strong message "that the past liberal tendencies of this court are over."

Justices issued rulings that will make it harder for victims to sue and win damages in some medical malpractice, product liability and workplace discrimination cases.

The president of the Wisconsin Association for Justice says the high court "is closing the courthouse doors" for some victims.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-wisconsinsupremec,0,3164454.story

[midnight]

1. If Troupis was honest, he would say that money buys power.

[undeterred]

2. Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce tilts WI high court to the right

And too many Wisconsinites decide who to vote for by watching television commercials.

[undeterred]

3. A look at Wisconsin high court rulings

Associated Press
11:57 AM CDT, July 31, 2009

The Wisconsin Supreme Court shifted in a more conservative direction this term. In notable cases, the court:

-- tossed out a $200,000 award to a father who watched one of his twin sons die during birth, ruling medical malpractice law does not allow bystanders to get damages for emotional distress.

-- dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by a woman whose husband died after a botched surgery, saying she filed it days too late. The court sided with an insurance company by ruling the statute of limitations started when doctors left a sponge in the man, not when he died.

-- ruled that a father who accidentally severed the feet of his son with a riding lawnmower going in reverse cannot sue the manufacturer. The court said bystanders such as the two-year-old boy do not have any greater protections than consumers from dangerous products.

-- found that Catholic school teachers are not protected by the state's employment discrimination laws.

-- concluded the Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act does not give victims the right to a jury trial.

-- ruled that businesses can enforce agreements that prohibit employees who leave from starting competing firms.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/chi-ap-wi-wisconsinsupremec,0,3164454.story

[midnight]

10. Wis. Supreme Court is a business friendly court. Once again,

the vote/court was purchased.

[residentfan]

4. Judges

Judges shouldn't be elected anyway, but selected by a non partisan committee. Any political decision making on judges simply weakens the courts decision making ability.

[glinda]

5. So is there the opinion that WI is going more conservative rather than Progressive or Liberal?

[undeterred]

6. Well, on the face of it, no.

We have a Democratic Governor and two Democratic Senators. 5 out of 8 representatives are Dems. At the State level we have Dem majorities in the Senate and the Assembly. The AG is a Repuke but he barely won that race. The court is out of sync with the trend.

[glinda]

7. Why is that? It seeks that if the State trends more to the left, what powers are in play?

[undeterred]

8. Most people don't know as much about

who they are voting for when it comes to the Supreme Court. Candidates are not labelled Democrat or Republican- its supposed to be non-partisan. In two of the recent Supreme Court elections the 'liberals' have been outspent because of huge corporate contributions to their opponents, which were used to produce negative television ads. It worked. When it comes to electing judges, the voters didn't do their homework.

[glinda]

9. People do not do their homework hardly ever so it would be to WI. advantage to print flyers or

find a way to channel the money into an ad or something. The Courts rule and will destroy your wonderful State particularly if they are very conservative. Something must be done as I see WI as a strong and upcoming State with lots of potential.

[midnight]

11. You are right. This needs to be changed. How can the info.

become more accessable?

[Jimbo S]

12. Wisconsin voters have a reputation of being independent.

Not afraid to vote split-ticket.