Don't Mind the Man Behind the Curtain

The class nature of the legal system is brought into stark relief in the case of Lockheed workers whose case has now be kiboshed: Conflict of interest tanks worker's case. The majority of judges on the California Supreme Court have stock in oil companies and thus had to recuse themselves from this case. The remaining judges, instead of bringing in temporary judges, decided not to hear it. Case closed, sorry about your medical bills, now go home and shut up.

Many are happy to provide solutions to this situation. The primary suggestion from analysts and editorialists is to have the judges keep their investments in a blind trust. In other words, to hide their wealth from them, but more importantly from the public. This doesn't change the fact that these judges are members of the elite, benefiting from the misery of workers like those at Lockheed. But it does have the effect of illusion, making it look like these judges are neutral. And in the end, this is what most interests the ruling class.