Exercising their Right
Californians are voting today on a raft of referendums, the most important (in my opinion) being Proposition 77, which would change the way voter districts are gerrymandered.
That's not a misprint. Although Americans call it redistricting, in every state but two (Arizona and Iowa), the United States, that proud promoter of democracy around the world, allows politicans to draw voter boundaries after every census (every 10 years).
As a consequence, not a single legislative or congressional seat in California changed hands last year. Since the majority of the districts in California are owned by Democrats, they have a lock on what happens here - with Arnie the exception that proves the rule. (The same thing happens in Texas, only Republicans own that state, and you see what that gave us.)
As a consequence, the only way for a fresh face to get noticed in a district is for them to appeal to the fringe of that district's party. That polarizes political argument, reducing it to the level of automatic gainsaying, with the prize going to the candidate who is most successful in driving a wedge between the voters. (This is what Jon Stewart was going on about when he famously destroyed Tucker Carlson on Crosstalk.) Sometimes an issue doesn't have two sides, and sometimes it doesn't have just two. But you'd never know it from listening to broadcast news.
This measure isn't perfect - redistricting responsibility will be given to a panel of three retired judges, who will be picked by politicans - but it is definitely a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, Gov. Schwarzenegger is held in such low regard that the voters will probably reject every one of his initiatives.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
That's not a misprint. Although Americans call it redistricting, in every state but two (Arizona and Iowa), the United States, that proud promoter of democracy around the world, allows politicans to draw voter boundaries after every census (every 10 years).
As a consequence, not a single legislative or congressional seat in California changed hands last year. Since the majority of the districts in California are owned by Democrats, they have a lock on what happens here - with Arnie the exception that proves the rule. (The same thing happens in Texas, only Republicans own that state, and you see what that gave us.)
As a consequence, the only way for a fresh face to get noticed in a district is for them to appeal to the fringe of that district's party. That polarizes political argument, reducing it to the level of automatic gainsaying, with the prize going to the candidate who is most successful in driving a wedge between the voters. (This is what Jon Stewart was going on about when he famously destroyed Tucker Carlson on Crosstalk.) Sometimes an issue doesn't have two sides, and sometimes it doesn't have just two. But you'd never know it from listening to broadcast news.
This measure isn't perfect - redistricting responsibility will be given to a panel of three retired judges, who will be picked by politicans - but it is definitely a step in the right direction. Unfortunately, Gov. Schwarzenegger is held in such low regard that the voters will probably reject every one of his initiatives.
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
posted by John at 5:32 AM
3 Comments:
In a Republic, we delegate. The government is (or should be) us, run by our designees. If we don't trust them to redistrict, what should we trust them with. And if the answer to that is 'nothing', which art student would you like to turn the country over to?
Ultimate power corrupts, ultimately. If you don't have checks and balances built into the system it will get abused by the partisans, which is what your elected officals are doing when they draw electoral boundaries in order to get themselves re-elected.
Surely some neutral party with the wisdom of Solomon must exist among you?
I voted for this measure. Stirring the Pot is an old American tradition. Perhaps allowing the minority party would be the best way to re-district, sort of like having the person who doesn't cut the cake get the first slice.
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