dems talking about redistricting IL, NM, LA

[Cocoa]

how wonderful would it be to see Hastert and Henry Hyde out of there.

http://www.ndol.org/ndol_ci.cfm?kaid=131&subid=192&contentid=253193

<snip>

Not surprisingly, Democrats are talking about retaliation, in the form of a possible move to re-redistrict Congressional seats in three states where their party has gained control of state governments since the books were supposedly closed on redistricting for this decade: Illinois, New Mexico, and Louisiana. And the idea may have a particularly galvanizing effect in that one of the potential targets of an Illinois remap might be one Dennis Hastert, Speaker of the House.

Perhaps the threat of massive retaliation will have a deterrent effect on the GOP's political greed, and the Georgia Power Grab will be called off, though nobody should count on it. But whether or not it transpires that DeLay and company have initiated a re-redistricting war with no end in sight, the latest Power Grab should galvanize Americans to insist on a serious national effort to reform redistricting and make the House -- and state legislatures -- institutions where voters choose representatives, instead of the other way around.

It's clearer than ever that Republicans are gaming the current system in a completely unprincipled drive to reinforce their already unbridled power, and Democrats should not only threaten vengeance, but embrace reform, making it clear that today's GOP is the party of out-of-control government beholden to special interests, not voters.

[WI_DEM]

1. We should have done this in California too when we had

a democratic governor.

[SaveElmer]

2. Unfortunately Democrats do not have the Cajones

To do this...

[Cocoa]

4. what does dresser drawers have to do with redistricting?

:shrug:

[Warpy]

3. I'd dearly love to see it in central NM

I'd love to see anything that would get Heather Wilson out of office.

However, I think Richardson will probably fight it tooth and nail.

[ProgressiveConn]

5. Will he fight it because he is against Gerrymandering?

If that is the case I hope he steps forward with a plan to end it. Can't leave the status quo with them doing it and us not.

[Southsideirish]

6. Just do it - don't "talk" about it!

"Jaw-boning" leads to committees and indecision.

[ailsagirl]

11. At least it's a step in the right direction-- now they have to

follow through.

C'mon Dems!! Do it!!!

[Phoenixblade444]

7. fight back

the power.

[mcd1982]

8. ya know...

having worked for a congressman that lost in TX due to re-redistricting, I have struggled w/this issue since 2003.

During the process, I thought every Blue State should return the favor to Delay. But, through the end of it all, all of the protests of how this is wrong seem like it would come back to haunt us.

It's a classic do the ends justify the means situation. And I understand both sides. Part of me is tired of losing b/c we don't play dirty and they do. But part of me thinks if we sell our soul to win, are we any better?

So, I can understand the mixed feelings on this issue -- esp. Gov. Richardson, who got to host the Texas 11 who fled our state to fight re-redistricting.

[kevsand]

9. It's self defense.

That makes it justifiable Republicide.

[Akno21]

10. Make a Choice

Either just do the damn thing, which is perfectly acceptable, or go on a major crusade criticizing the Republicans for doing so, which doesn't work if at the same time you are doing it yourselves.

Personally, I would like states to elect congressmen proportionally, where you vote by party, and a certain percentage gives you a set number of seats. Eliminates both gerrymandering and pork spending.

[meow2u3]

12. Why stop at IL, MN, and LA?

Let's also redistrict Jersey and Tennessee. They also have Dems running everything in that state.

[mcd1982]

13. yes, but...

if all the blue states do this, do you think for a second the red won't? and there are more red than blue...it will be like opening pandora's box.

now, if they all do it in 2010/11/12, that's okay with me...haha.

Personally, I'd rather every district be as close to 50/50 D/R as possible, that way you can never get a wacko nut in there, and if you do, it's very easy to get them out. I realize not every district could be 50/50, but if it's close, we'll have the huge swings we have in Congress for nearly 200 years again -- which I think is a good thing.

[Comrade Kangaroo]

14. We need independent redistricting committees

That's what a lot of other countries do. They have an independent, non-partisan committee draw the districts to avoid this sort of thing. Gerrymandering is wrong, period. I don't care that the Republicans do it; we need to be better than them. The minute we stoop to their level, they've already won.

[kevsand]

15. Illinois has decided not to, for now.

Thread on a Chicago Sun-Times article:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=150&topic_id=5691#5692

Thread on a Roll Call article (via dailykos.com):

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=132&topic_id=1651342