Thank you Kly. You stated it more eloquently and substantively than I could. Also, thank you for pointing out the Heller vote. There are plenty other 5/4 votes that SCOTUS critics wold be loathe to dispense with.

Here in Texas, the election of all judges except municipal judges is lamented because of just what you point out: their vulnerability to fianancial enticement by campaign donors and the influence upon their opinions by those donors. In fact, in the textbook I use for class it has a section that asks Is Justice for Sale in Texas?

And DT, yes, conservatives are so fond of original intent when it results in a pleasing Court opinion, but only then.