Today’s newspaper carries a report that “The leader of the Missouri Senate [Mr. Ron Richard of Joplin] wants to dump the state’s nationally recognized system for picking judges.” Now Missouri’s system has so impressed other states that they have borrowed it. But this prestige threatens our Legislature’s plan to bring Missouri down to the lowest tier of loopy state governments – right there with Texas, Arkansas, and Oklahoma. Do not worry. Our Legislature will press on resolutely until they have introduced their mediocrity into all aspects of state government.