The Republicans seem to have their act together on reforming California's undemocratic redistricting system, but the Democrats in Congress are holding back for purely political reasons. This story in the Los Angeles Times says All 19 Republican House members from California signed a letter urging that Congress be included in plans to change the way district lines are drawn for legislative offices.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi opposes Congressional districts being part of the reform because a fair system might hurt the Democrats' holding its majority in the House. Now that's standing on principle.
There are several redistricting proposals making their way through the Legislature. Sponsors want to put a reform plan on the February primary ballot. Voters would have to approve a change that takes redistricting out of legislators' hands.
Redistricting reform is important because the problems Californians complain about -- health care, our failing schools, an out-of-control prison system, crumbling bridges, levees and highways -- are not being dealt with because legislators are unaccountable at the ballot box. That's by design. They are essentially guaranteed re-election because their districts are drawn to keep them in power. By reforming the redistricting system, most legislative and congressional districts would be more competitive. That would force them to confront our big problems or defend their inaction at the next campaign.
Kudos' to the California Congressional members who signed this letter.
People need to realize that the only way to break the special interest ownership of our state and federal legislators will be when politicians are forced to be accountable to their constituents. Honest redistricting reform is the ONLY way to accomplish that.
Nothing of any substance will be accomplished in Sacramento or Washington DC under the current "fixed" system that guarantees election by a certain party.
I am shocked, really shocked, that anyone should be surprised by Demo obstructionism!
Nice bit of partisan sniping there, T.C. It's not just a Democratic thing, though. The GOP in Texas (for example) is just as bad, or maybe even worse when it comes to protecting their turf.
I, for one, would be glad to see an end to this gerrymandering, even if the Democrats lose a few seats. Maybe then the Republican candidates in my district wouldn't fall all over themselves to prove who was the most "conservative," and the Democrats would offer more than token opposition.