Crazy Redistricting - This is how power sustains itself and avoids accountability
So, I’d heard that the GOP did some wacky redistricting this year. I had no idea how crazy it actually is.
Here’s a thumbnail - click on it if you want it full-size.
mc-2011-redist-map
A couple things had me scratching my head:
- Look at district 20 (the yellow one) - it goes all the way from the western edge of the county to the city - how does that make sense?
- Note how they chopped up the Villages of Brockport and East Rochester. Why?
- How about district 5 (the green one)? It’s a crazy curl going from south Pittsford, through Mendon and Rush, finally taking a bite out of Henrietta. Why?
How does that make sense except to neutralize the opposition (aka Democratic) voters there?
That said, it’s a great way to help make sure the ruling party stays in power, and can avoid accountability. The more comfortable they feel about being re-elected no matter what, the more they’ll try to get away with.
What happened to checks and balances?
Related posts:
btp- Could you define what you mean by “checks and balances”, because the Republicans don’t give a hoot about them. Look at what Bush did nationally with signing statements, the nonsense idea of a “Unitary Executive”. They care about power, and maintaining their power, pure and simple.
I think you know what it means!
I assume you’re asking for a definition to educate other folks. Ever since there have been entrenched political parties, the Iron Law of Institutions has been in effect: the Institution will do whatever it has to in order to sustain itself, even if other things need to be sacrificed. (Like democracy.)
Large corporations and the 1% have become an “uber-institution”, which has used money to consolidate power over Washington D.C., and largely negate the checks and balances built into the Constitution.
In Monroe County, the GOP and moneyed interests are working together to achieve the same thing.