We Need to Kill GERRYMANDERING - But we can't call it "gerrymandering"

[liberalpragmatist]

We absolutely have to target gerrymandering. It's not good for either party b/c it makes the ruling party complacent and prone to calcification over long periods of time. Plus, it's biting us in the ass b/c there's virtually no way to get the House until 2012.

The thing is though that "redistricting reform" or even "ending gerrymandering" is too much Washington-speak. We should call it "incumbent protection" or "politician-protection."

Any ideas?

[pmbryant]

1. I don't see anything wrong with the term "gerrymandering"

It is far less bureaucratic sounding than "incumbent protection".

But you're absolutely right that we have to eliminate it. Gerrymandering => Instead of voters choosing politicians, politicians choose the voters.

:grr:

Peter

[KC21304]

3. Right. The politicians get to draw their own districts. nt

[NuttyFluffers]

2. i say call it gerrymandering, or...

vote rigging, which is also what it is, and also easy, sound-bitey, and pretty accurate (albeit broad).

maybe just "vote rigging by redrawing the lines."

[tiedye]

4. How about Redistricting

That is a more intuitive word for it.
Gerrymandering has no roots that pop out immediately. Redistricting sounds like what it is. And its ok with the spell check.

[liberalpragmatist]

5. You're not gonna get Americans riled up about "Redistricting"

You need something like "tax relief" which Republicans use.

[pmbryant]

7. Re-districting is not the same as gerrymandering

Iowa "redistricts" -- it uses a non-partisan panel to draw fair and competitive district boundaries. "Redistricting" is not an inherently negative process or word.

Tom DeLay "gerrymanders" -- drawing highly partisan, convoluted districts meant to ensure the victory of certain candidates. "Gerrymandering" is a great word to describe this process, as it is accurate, has the appropriate pejorative connotation, and is well known and understood.

Even if we are successful at eliminating gerrymandering, redistricting will still be necessary, due to population shifts etc.

--Peter

[Us vs Them]

6. Drawing outside the lines? Redrawing the map?

Redistricting (which I personally vote for)
District Rigging
District Tampering
District Engineering
District Arranging

[montieg]

8. I'm a victim of this process

this election. Delay and his henchmen in Texas-- Tom Craddick and Rick Perry-- shoved it in us---cold end first so you burn your hand pulling it out. My Rep--Stenholm-- was redistricted into a Repub district and my county wound up with Bush's ex-business partner, who just as a Freshman got named assistant whip (who you know?), elected with only perfunctory opposition.
In tribute to this heavy-handed slamming, we call it(remember Rick Perry?)
you ready for this?
PERRYMANDERING

[Radio-Active]

9. I like Jerry Mander

[Nederland]

10. Interesting Aside

I heard Joe Scarborough (yes, he's a right wing repuke, etc.--just stay with me) talk a bit about how the Republicans would pull it off. They'd go into a state with say, two Democratic districts, produce a new map that would result in only one Democratic district, but that district would be a majority black district. They would then approach prominant African American politicians in the state and say, look, support this plan and you can end up having a guaranteed House seat for life. Shop around long enough and eventually they find a taker to support the plan making it a "bipartisan" and "minority pleasing".

Ironically even he thinks its just wrong.