Submitted for your perusal. . .
http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/11/30/sheriff.slain.arrest/index.html
Something non-Americans will never understand: the public election of law officials.
You mean the most popular people make the best sheriffs?
Most popular?
The victim promised to uproot the corruption that the accused was in the middle of. Where does popularity come into the equation? Funny, but some folks look at records, experience, accomplishments, and policies. If the one who has the best characteristics for a community is deemed most popular, then yes, that is exactly what a representative democracy is all about. Popularity contests. We call them elections.
BalmainBoy said:
Ultimately, a sheriff is responsible to the public–if not by election, then through an elected official or council which appoints someone to that position. Direct election eliminates the middleman…and also disperses power, which is another thing Americans tend to look favorably on.