I can't really speak to your case, Carol, since I know nothing about it except what little you have told me. I still suspect, based on your description of the events, that if your attorney truly felt you had a good case, he should have argued it case vigorously, regardless of any concern about how this would make his life more difficult in future cases. I have heard attorneys use this line of reasoning before, often insincerely ("well gee, I'd really like to do a better job for you, but it's the system, you know; I'll be persecuted for doing the right thing, and then I won't be able to help all those other poor unfortunates like yourself"). More often than not, in my opinion, that's a line of crap. If he didn't feel able to provide you with the representation you deserved, he should have said so, and resigned. If he felt that what you were seeking was inappropriate -- that your position maybe wasn't as sound or unambiguous as you felt it was -- he should have said that, too, rather than telling you that you're right but the "system" would retaliate against him for arguing your case vigorously. But again, all this is speculation, since I really don't know the particulars.

As for the reprisals that elected officials say they fear for voting their consciences, I would need to hear a more compelling argument about that to believe it. Just saying it anonymously to some reporter is not enough. We have a lot of people working for our government who are called upon to show real courage in the face of real danger -- our military, police, firefighters, and others. I think we should expect at least a minimal level of courage from our elected officials as well.