I was perusing through another thread and got to thinking about the three branches of government. Then, as usual, my brain got the best of me and I ended up more confused than when I started. I'm hoping you all can help me untie some of the knots.
What it boils down to is where the separation is between the executive branch and judicial branch when the prez gets to hire (ok, appoints) all the judges? Who pays the salaries of the judges anyway? It would seem that there must be some conflict of interest somewhere if the case is brought on by the US and it also pays the judges salary. In the state level, it's easier to divvy up the costs between the county, city, and state, but federally?

