2) Even if that wouldn’t be a viable solution, it’s almost certainly possible to hire attorneys for cheaper than $14 million/case by putting out for an open bid rather than handing it over to a crony.

(I don’t mean to insinuate that you can’t be a government lawyer and also be great in the courtroom or otherwise, but, in my experience, government lawyers do not have the civil courtroom savvy as private attorneys)

Some say the ducks went to Canada. Others say, Toronto.

“Some say the Dems oppose it because trial lawyers are the Democrats’ last major source of campaign funding. Others say Dem’s oppose such changes to defund the Republicans major source of funding, big business.”

The first sentence I would not be surprised to see in print. In fact, a quick Westlaw search pulls up several instances in which an author made the claim that Dems oppose tort reform because they are beholden to trial lawyers.

As to the second sentence, I think you’re less likely to see claims that Dems oppose tort reform because they want to defund big business for a few reasons: first, if they’re trying to defund big business with lawsuits, they’re doing a pretty poor job; second, the conventional wisdom perpetuated by the tort reform lobby is that trial lawyers seek to increase their personal wealth, not the power of a specific political party. After all, just as business gives to Dems, trial lawyers also give to the GOP.

The two sentences above do not reflect the view that Republicans support tort reform out of principle. But the exception does not make the rule. I can assure you that the idea that Republicans support tort reform on principle is well represented in the media – as is the assertion that Democrats oppose tort reform out of self-interest.

Personally, I think a lot of “bias” is in the eye of the beholder. We’re more likely, I think, to take offence or suspect a slight when something can be perceived as unfriendly to our preconceived ideas. I also think that the “media bias” circus has probably resulted in more questionable reporting than it has curbed.

Lastly, I share your concern about both political parties being more concerned with wealth and power than principle or public good. As long as we are stuck with two parties that prop each other up, though, I don’t have an easy solution.

You’re going out on a limb, there.

The way it’s said, the Republicans are the force for “evil” either way.

That is, it could be worded th EXACT opposite (Democrats being against tort reform), but you won’t see it that way.

The default position is that Republicans have no morals, are only in it for th power, etc. I happen to believe that of both parties, but the VASTE majority of the time, the media calls the Reps on it (even when it’s not appropriate) and not the Dems (even when it is).

In the particular example, the thought that Republicans support tort reform out of PRINCIPLE isn’t even given a thought. Show me where that is done to the Dems in the media.

That tort reform demonstrated itself to be good public policy probably didn’t enter into the equation because, outside of some advocacy groups, that conclusion has not been accepted as verifiably demonstrated.