If only the conversation could shift to an every-state adoption of bipartisan commissions that draw congressional lines. States that have these have better balanced and fairer congressional representation. I understand it would be a painful change for states with dominant parties.
Of all the things that upset me about the 2016 election results I think the most frustrating was losing our one opportunity to get a SCOTUS that might have struck down gerrymandering and forced just this scenario. More purple districts would mean more competition on ideas rather than competition to be the most partisan in the primaries.
The only other route I see toward accomplishing this at this point would be a dramatic expansion of the House, something proportional to where it was before it was fixed at its current size - say, 1500 reps. That wouldn't do away with gerrymandering entirely, but it might force a bit more local accountability.
James Madison offered 12 amendments to the new constitution. We call numbers 3-12 the Bill of Rights and number 2 became the 27th Amendment. Number 1, Congressional Apportionment, concludes "there shall not be ... more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons." It is still pending before the states, and if ratified, Congress would have at least 1,700 members. Can we summon the ghost of Birch Bayh to get one more Amendment done? He kinda owes us one for that necessary but unworkable 25th Amendment.
Kudos to Deery for being on the right side of this issue, but also a bit hollow coming from a guy whose district was gerrymandered to ensure that West Lafayette Democratic voters are overwhelmed by rural GOP voters.
I'm sad to hear about Ann Hunt's passing. She was a great civil servant for our community. My thoughts are with her friends, family, and neighbors today.
If only the conversation could shift to an every-state adoption of bipartisan commissions that draw congressional lines. States that have these have better balanced and fairer congressional representation. I understand it would be a painful change for states with dominant parties.
Of all the things that upset me about the 2016 election results I think the most frustrating was losing our one opportunity to get a SCOTUS that might have struck down gerrymandering and forced just this scenario. More purple districts would mean more competition on ideas rather than competition to be the most partisan in the primaries.
The only other route I see toward accomplishing this at this point would be a dramatic expansion of the House, something proportional to where it was before it was fixed at its current size - say, 1500 reps. That wouldn't do away with gerrymandering entirely, but it might force a bit more local accountability.
James Madison offered 12 amendments to the new constitution. We call numbers 3-12 the Bill of Rights and number 2 became the 27th Amendment. Number 1, Congressional Apportionment, concludes "there shall not be ... more than one Representative for every fifty thousand persons." It is still pending before the states, and if ratified, Congress would have at least 1,700 members. Can we summon the ghost of Birch Bayh to get one more Amendment done? He kinda owes us one for that necessary but unworkable 25th Amendment.
Kudos to Deery for being on the right side of this issue, but also a bit hollow coming from a guy whose district was gerrymandered to ensure that West Lafayette Democratic voters are overwhelmed by rural GOP voters.
Or... he would have to run in a slightly more D district and would have to modulate his pandering to the MAGA base.
The last thing the GOP wants is more reps like Ron Alting
Came here to say the same thing.
Once again, transdimensional pixie Sheila Klinker has it exactly right.
I'm sad to hear about Ann Hunt's passing. She was a great civil servant for our community. My thoughts are with her friends, family, and neighbors today.