There was a time the two parties actually worked together to help the American People solve big and small problems. There really was!
I wonder now if that can ever return. I have come to believe that in order to solve a problem, you must first understand the root of the problem. When an Arlen Specter, or Joe Lieberman just change parties for only one reason then there must not be core beliefs in these people. It is just too easy to say they just want to be re-elected but maybe not?? You remember the word competition.
Do they or any of our politicians have spines.
I believe when the two branches of our government are controlled by lobbyists and special interests, the idea of making hard decisions goes out the window.
The legislative branch is really the only branch now not controlled by special interests.
Anyway to my point the root cause of why we are not having real Representative government. GERRYMANDERING, when you draw squiggly districts up in this country to in order to have your vote not counted that is just wrong.
An example I lived in Dupage county in the Chicago suburbs for over twenty years and as a Democrat my vote never counted in the countyit was was 85% Republican, and conversely in the city of Chicago if you were a Republican your vote did not count as the city is 89% Democrat.
Why can't the Supreme Court who was so concerned about the recount in Florida a few years back, get involved and draw a grid of say 5 square miles across America and have those be the districts we elect from.
Seems more true to our democratic ideals. What say you JIM
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I say the root of the problem is too much Federal power.
If we returned to "states rights" and the Federal Government quit using the commerce clause to regulate everything, there would be less power and purse strings and less temptation to corrupt.
States rights is code for segregation, among other things. It has NOTHING to do with redistricting.
There are a number of "cures" for gerrymandering and, believe it or not, repeal of much of the Voting Rights Act is necessary to do it.
Independent commissions with a list of district priorities is the best approach. Existing political units should remain united to the extent possible. District sizes should be allowed to vary 5% from the average pursuant to the above. Race, competitiveness and voter registration political affiliation should not be on the list.
That - plus a "Louisiana" system - using an open primary with a run-off (if noone achieves 50%+1) 2-4 weeks later would greatly mitigate the benefits of gerrymandering a district.
Will all of this happen? Not right away, but some of it is already in process.
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