What's the Solution to Gerrymandering? - Citizens Party2024-03-29T14:19:00Zhttp://www.votecitizens.org/forum/topics/what-s-the-solution-to-gerrymandering?groupUrl=gerrymandering&commentId=6348963%3AComment%3A62339&groupId=6348963%3AGroup%3A30220&feed=yes&xn_auth=noAfter a little research into…tag:www.votecitizens.org,2014-11-23:6348963:Comment:623392014-11-23T01:37:23.535ZSensible Sailorhttp://www.votecitizens.org/profile/SensibleSailor
<p>After a little research into 'gerrymandering', I discovered that it is essentially the abuse of redistricting power. House of Rep districts need to be modified to ensure they are equitably representing the people of the United States. Right now that ratio is 1 Rep for a little over every 700,000 US citizens. After every census, some states lose seats, and others gain. Districts have to be reapportioned to insure equal representation as people move throughout the country.</p>
<p>Turns out 34…</p>
<p>After a little research into 'gerrymandering', I discovered that it is essentially the abuse of redistricting power. House of Rep districts need to be modified to ensure they are equitably representing the people of the United States. Right now that ratio is 1 Rep for a little over every 700,000 US citizens. After every census, some states lose seats, and others gain. Districts have to be reapportioned to insure equal representation as people move throughout the country.</p>
<p>Turns out 34 states allow the state legislature to modify districts, 7 states set up independent commissions, 3 states have an independent commission, but the state legislature must approve the plan they come up with. The remaining states have a population at or below 700,000 and therefore have the constitutionally mandated 1 rep. I personally think the independent commission is the way to go, but I'm sure assigning people to that commission is a contentious and partisan affair.</p>
<p>Right now I don't think gerrymandering has much of an effect on the independent voter. Republicans and Democrats are primarily focused on divvying up districts to help themselves/hurt each-others chances. They're not focused on us as a threat to control seats. It would be great to see that change in the future, but we need a focused active party before that happens. I think we have more pressing issues to concern ourselves with and ought to put any gerrymandering debates/complaints on the back burner.</p> Right away I find myself unco…tag:www.votecitizens.org,2014-11-16:6348963:Comment:621622014-11-16T05:04:59.468ZScolos Narbarsonhttp://www.votecitizens.org/profile/ScolosNarbarson
<p>Right away I find myself uncomfortable with the concept (in my mind = negative connotations):</p>
<p><strong>"<em>manipulate</em> the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) <em>so as to favor one party or class."</em></strong></p>
<p>"Manipulation"? "Favoring"? I suppose there are benign forms of "manipulation" (Getting someone to do the right thing). And there are times when it is Good to "favor" something over the other...because the other represents a greater Goodness.</p>
<p>I imagine…</p>
<p>Right away I find myself uncomfortable with the concept (in my mind = negative connotations):</p>
<p><strong>"<em>manipulate</em> the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) <em>so as to favor one party or class."</em></strong></p>
<p>"Manipulation"? "Favoring"? I suppose there are benign forms of "manipulation" (Getting someone to do the right thing). And there are times when it is Good to "favor" something over the other...because the other represents a greater Goodness.</p>
<p>I imagine those that do "gerrymandering", think or profess to have the "higher good" (fairness to others) in their hearts and minds. But I got big doubts here.</p>
<p>Enough of the abstractions for me. Time to get to the point here and that, I think, is playing games with the electorate in order to achieve an advantage...which would, presumably, amount to an election win for their party , or representative(s).</p>
<p>I am more comfortable with set voting districts "carved in stone"...or at least changes enacted only with the approval of the entire voting populous.</p>
<p>But, the Ideal, as I see this right now, is the principle "One Voter, One Vote" No matter where they are located in Our Nation. Ultimately the entire nation is the "voter district" and this is the deciding criteria at the end of the election. When all is said and done and voted for, THAT is the main point of Democratic elections...whether it is for representatives or Will Of The People Policy. Anything less than this is dishonest chicanery. (In my opinion)</p>
<p>If it is necessary to have some sort of designated boundary, for tallying purposes, then the counties within the states should do just fine.</p> I think We might as well star…tag:www.votecitizens.org,2014-11-16:6348963:Comment:620782014-11-16T04:34:36.203ZScolos Narbarsonhttp://www.votecitizens.org/profile/ScolosNarbarson
<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span>I think We might as well start with the definition of "gerrymandering".</span></div>
<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0;"></div>
<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span>ger·ry·man·der</span></div>
<div><div class="lr_dct_ent_ph"><span class="lr_dct_ph"><span>ˈjerēˌmandər</span>/…</span></div>
</div>
<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span>I think We might as well start with the definition of "gerrymandering".</span></div>
<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0;"></div>
<div class="vk_ans" style="margin-bottom: 0;"><span>ger·ry·man·der</span></div>
<div><div class="lr_dct_ent_ph"><span class="lr_dct_ph"><span>ˈjerēˌmandər</span>/</span><span style="display: inline-block;" class="lr_dct_spkr lr_dct_spkr_off" title="Listen"></span></div>
<div><div class="lr_dct_sf_h"><i>verb</i></div>
<div class="vk_gy"><span>gerund or present participle: <b>gerrymandering</b></span></div>
<ol class="lr_dct_sf_sens">
<li><div><div class="lr_dct_sf_sen vk_txt"><div style="margin-left: 20px;"><div style="margin-left: -20px; font-size: small;"><div style="display: inline;"><span>manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class.</span></div>
</div>
<div style="margin-left: -32px;"><ul>
<li><div class="lr_dct_sf_subsen"><div style="font-size: small;"><div style="display: inline;"><span>achieve (a result) by manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency.</span></div>
<div class="vk_gy">"<span>a total freedom to gerrymander the results they want</span>.</div>
<div class="vk_gy"></div>
<div class="vk_gy"></div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ol>
</div>
</div>