Delta_G:
Yes judge says can be bribed. But which is worse, a local judge gets bribed and the people in one town suffer for it, or a legislator gets bribed and everyone in the whole country suffers for it?
The difference is that judges often work alone whereas legislators (in democracies) don't.
I am not claiming the "rule" system is perfect, or even good - just the best that is available. And I have no doubt that there are some silly laws, and laws that people don't like, but having been a civil servant helping to create laws I do believe that the people who create them do so with the best of intentions.
...R