North Carolina needs to persist to demand open access to information that lead to changes in district lines. Why? Because the state so corrupt no plaintiff receives justice until they get to the Virginia Appeals Court. That's why. That is a given. Most people dealing with social and/or environmental issues, even issues of wages and benefits, know there will be no movement out of oppression until the Virginia Appeals Court receives the case.
January 25, 2013
RALEIGH, N.C. -- The North Carolina Supreme Court (click here) sided Friday with legislative leaders who withheld emails and other documents between them and state-funded private attorneys about redistricting maps approved in 2011, ruling that those documents can be confidential.
Most of the justices overturned a decision by a panel of three trial court judges who are hearing lawsuits challenging the boundaries drawn by the Republican-led General Assembly.
The dozens of individuals and groups suing asked the legislators and their lawyers to give them correspondence on legal advice about drawing the maps, presenting the maps to General Assembly committees and getting them cleared by federal authorities. The plaintiffs believed the documents would bolster their case to throw out the new lines....
Gerrymandering, while portrayed as a political process whereby a majority party is in control and then 'sets up' the electorate for failure to change party choices (candidates) in future elections it really is about equity. Gerrymandering is actually an attack against equal rights/civil rights.
By Perry Stein
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013
Updated 12:20 pm est
While the nation’s eyes (click here) were glued to the presidential inauguration Monday, Virginia Senate Republicans stealthily passed legislation that would redraw Virginia’s Senate districts in favor of their party.
By Perry Stein
Tuesday, Jan 22, 2013
Updated 12:20 pm est
While the nation’s eyes (click here) were glued to the presidential inauguration Monday, Virginia Senate Republicans stealthily passed legislation that would redraw Virginia’s Senate districts in favor of their party.
The 40-member Virginia Senate is split evenly between both parties: 20 Democrats and 20 Republicans. But one Democrat, Senator Henry Marsh—a big player in Virginia’s Civil Right’s movement in the ‘60’s and '70s—was absent from Richmond because he was attending the inauguration....
Let's set something straight first, gerrymandering is corruption in the government, but, in what way? Just because actions by the legislature at any level of government 'seems wrong' by a set of common values, how indeed does it effect the rights of citizens? Corruption has to be defined in the adverse effect on the citizen, not just because it doesn't seem right.
Also, because Republicans are pulling out any and all stops on voter suppression and manipulation doesn't mean it is constitutional at any level of government. Republicans are playing with the 'system' for attention and one might ask what are we not talking about/focusing on while the Republicans are seeking to distract us.
Example: McConnell in the Senate after the vote for the Senate Rules stated he won because he defeated the liberals. That statement was a political volley and nothing more. We have yet to witness the underhanded directive of McConnell.
At hand are serious problems including gun control, the climate crisis, alternative energies, education, taxes and tax reform and the future of our children. Those topics should not be sabotaged by anyone. They are legitimate problems of the USA and both parties should be EFFECTIVELY seeking solutions.
The damage gerrymandering does to the people of the USA is to cause problems across demographics and it's not just 'the political playbook.'
Take as an example the Hispanic community during the HIV/AIDS crisis. They were virtually ignored by the government to the language barrier they faced when the dangers existed. Entire communities did not understand what HIV was or that it would kill them. As a consequence there were disproportionate deaths in our society. Larger numbers of minority members of our communities were dying. There was also the lifestyle within the poor black community. It exposed black women to the disease in larger numbers than other ethnic demographics in the USA.
Preaching to people doesn't work, so the 'Christian morality agenda' as an answer to social problems in the USA closes off services to people. It is why there is suppose to be separation of church and state. What a church may deem important and a focus of proselytizing does not translate across the entire country. It simply doesn't work from the level of the government.
But, gerrymandering 'engineers' our society. It sets up voter initiatives to fail. Basically, if minorities believe in the USA Constitution and cannot find the electoral clout to move their problems to the level of the legislature in a way that matters, they will ultimately fail in our society. We cannot afford to have people fail because when they do other problems manifest and frequently poverty. The last banking crisis in 2008 resulted because of a decade of indulging Wall Street. It destroyed the American Dream. That has to be viewed as a significant reason to prevent corruption of the electorate and the focus on our economic health.
How does that happen?
We need to be sure when electorate district lines are drawn it is according to equity within the communities existing within the state. In redistricting demands since the 2000 census there is always ONE PROBLEM and ONE PROBLEM ONLY; there is isolation of minorities into being powerless in their capacity to vote for a candidate and effect an election. Hence, their problems are not important and they are disaffected.
Gerrymandering isn't about politics or the joy of being elected as a right to a political win in the USA. It is about isolating citizens so they lose their rights as a citizen to have their problems addressed by their government. Voting is the cheapest method to solve problems in the USA. It is vitally important. Most Americans cannot afford a challenge through the courts of laws that oppress them and even effect their longevity and there right to upward mobility.
Gerrymandering is an attack against the very process of our elections, hence our democracy. We have witnessed a sequestering of wealth to fewer and fewer people. That is directly a result of manipulated elections PAID for by people that have received those monies. Gerrymandering is devastating. Any political figure, elected or otherwise, stating gerrymandering is one of their important initiatives should never be in office. Quite the opposite; gerrymandering and a known history of approving of it should disqualify re-election or election in the first place.
Being a citizen in the USA is not simply a vote on Election Day. It is work. It is knowing current events and how the government effects or hurts when leveraging power.
Look. Find a party you have basic beliefs with and become affiliated with it without fear of retribution on a social scale. It is the only way our political system will remain viable and continue to solve our problems. There is nothing wrong with knowing what is going on at the local Mayor and Council meeting. It is important. Knowing what is happening can prevent damage to citizen's rights and lives. Local government is always a good place to start and believe me when I state, exposure to local problems will bring alive the power of the county, state and federal government to solve problems.
Gerrymandering is wrong and it is wrong for very, very real reasons.
It is helpful to subscribe to honest newspapers and read. Do it over breakfast and actually have something to talk about besides the kids.
It helps when a person has one good paying job to have the time to keep up with their government. Demand pay raises and organize. I promise you, working multiple jobs to achieve a 'reasonable standard' of living is hurting you in a very real way. Don't you want to attend the activities of your children and not by information from Granny? Demand pay raises and organize.
Also, because Republicans are pulling out any and all stops on voter suppression and manipulation doesn't mean it is constitutional at any level of government. Republicans are playing with the 'system' for attention and one might ask what are we not talking about/focusing on while the Republicans are seeking to distract us.
Example: McConnell in the Senate after the vote for the Senate Rules stated he won because he defeated the liberals. That statement was a political volley and nothing more. We have yet to witness the underhanded directive of McConnell.
At hand are serious problems including gun control, the climate crisis, alternative energies, education, taxes and tax reform and the future of our children. Those topics should not be sabotaged by anyone. They are legitimate problems of the USA and both parties should be EFFECTIVELY seeking solutions.
The damage gerrymandering does to the people of the USA is to cause problems across demographics and it's not just 'the political playbook.'
Take as an example the Hispanic community during the HIV/AIDS crisis. They were virtually ignored by the government to the language barrier they faced when the dangers existed. Entire communities did not understand what HIV was or that it would kill them. As a consequence there were disproportionate deaths in our society. Larger numbers of minority members of our communities were dying. There was also the lifestyle within the poor black community. It exposed black women to the disease in larger numbers than other ethnic demographics in the USA.
Preaching to people doesn't work, so the 'Christian morality agenda' as an answer to social problems in the USA closes off services to people. It is why there is suppose to be separation of church and state. What a church may deem important and a focus of proselytizing does not translate across the entire country. It simply doesn't work from the level of the government.
But, gerrymandering 'engineers' our society. It sets up voter initiatives to fail. Basically, if minorities believe in the USA Constitution and cannot find the electoral clout to move their problems to the level of the legislature in a way that matters, they will ultimately fail in our society. We cannot afford to have people fail because when they do other problems manifest and frequently poverty. The last banking crisis in 2008 resulted because of a decade of indulging Wall Street. It destroyed the American Dream. That has to be viewed as a significant reason to prevent corruption of the electorate and the focus on our economic health.
How does that happen?
We need to be sure when electorate district lines are drawn it is according to equity within the communities existing within the state. In redistricting demands since the 2000 census there is always ONE PROBLEM and ONE PROBLEM ONLY; there is isolation of minorities into being powerless in their capacity to vote for a candidate and effect an election. Hence, their problems are not important and they are disaffected.
Gerrymandering isn't about politics or the joy of being elected as a right to a political win in the USA. It is about isolating citizens so they lose their rights as a citizen to have their problems addressed by their government. Voting is the cheapest method to solve problems in the USA. It is vitally important. Most Americans cannot afford a challenge through the courts of laws that oppress them and even effect their longevity and there right to upward mobility.
Gerrymandering is an attack against the very process of our elections, hence our democracy. We have witnessed a sequestering of wealth to fewer and fewer people. That is directly a result of manipulated elections PAID for by people that have received those monies. Gerrymandering is devastating. Any political figure, elected or otherwise, stating gerrymandering is one of their important initiatives should never be in office. Quite the opposite; gerrymandering and a known history of approving of it should disqualify re-election or election in the first place.
Being a citizen in the USA is not simply a vote on Election Day. It is work. It is knowing current events and how the government effects or hurts when leveraging power.
Look. Find a party you have basic beliefs with and become affiliated with it without fear of retribution on a social scale. It is the only way our political system will remain viable and continue to solve our problems. There is nothing wrong with knowing what is going on at the local Mayor and Council meeting. It is important. Knowing what is happening can prevent damage to citizen's rights and lives. Local government is always a good place to start and believe me when I state, exposure to local problems will bring alive the power of the county, state and federal government to solve problems.
Gerrymandering is wrong and it is wrong for very, very real reasons.
It is helpful to subscribe to honest newspapers and read. Do it over breakfast and actually have something to talk about besides the kids.
It helps when a person has one good paying job to have the time to keep up with their government. Demand pay raises and organize. I promise you, working multiple jobs to achieve a 'reasonable standard' of living is hurting you in a very real way. Don't you want to attend the activities of your children and not by information from Granny? Demand pay raises and organize.
