The Most Important Event To Lock A Democratic Hold On The Electorate Is Just Over The Horizon

[ThomWV]

I was thinking about this the other day and then again a couple of minutes ago when responding to another post. We forget to easily that something is just over the horizon that is just about as important as Obama's upcoming Supreme Court appointments. Folks, we have a Census coming in 2010 and that will open up the opportunity for a full national redistricting. No matter what we might think the ethical concerns with gerrymandering (sp?) it s still going to happen, only this time we'll be in charge for the full process.

[yardwork]

1. I was thinking that exact same thing today!

I live in a state - North Carolina - that is increasing in population and is badly gerrymandered. Some of that is the fault of the conservative southern Democrats who have a virtual monopoly on statewide offices, but a lot of it is also due to the disgraceful stuff that was pulled by a Republican Congress and White House after the 2000 census.

Yes, added to the Supreme Court and everything else, we need a strong Democratic majority in both houses of Congress when 2010 comes around.

[norepubsin08]

2. I'm all for gerrymandering if it the Dems doing it

it's a time honored practice.

[Recursion]

3. The dreaded Gerry-mander...

From 1812, up here in MA (done by our party, incidentally); though the practice dated back to the early days of the English Parliament and I'm sure even earlier -- whenever elected people draw the maps by which they are elected, well, you can imagine what happens.

The MA district is especially cheeky when you think back to 1812: no cars, no trains. Going from Lynn to Methuen to Salisbury would have taken days.

The Gerrymander and most of its surrounding environs, incidentally, is currently represented by John F. Tierney (D, MA).

[Wiley50]

5. Fuck! That's a Gerry-Curl! n/t

[dkofos]

4. You don't need a CENSUS to redistrict. Just ask any Texan