Some Texas congressmen want judges to be appointed rather than elected. Just what we need--more unaccountable elected officials. Granted, the judges would face an up-or-down election after their first term. "Senate confirmation would be necessary. After their first term, judges would face voters in an up-or-down nonpartisan retention election." Stop laughing, people! So these congressmen want to hand out first terms to judges... great. More on this later.