Is on incestuous amplification. Among other things.

Gerrymandering is at the heart of voting for elected reps. It makes no difference which party does it—it defeats the purpose of electing reps. Far more important issue than gay marriage and many other minority issues. If a citizen has no choice of who to vote for, then you have no choices at all. You are a victim of whomever is in power—GOP or DEM.

Actually, gerrymandering occurs when the party in power at the time of the census (every 10 years)redraws voting districts. The party in power draws the lines to maximize that power. For instance, George Allen was elected gov in ‘94 because the democrats who controlled the house gerrymandered him into a district with Tom Bliley. Instead of running against Bliley, a fellow republican, he ran against Mary Sue Terry for gov and won.

Gerrymandering will never be stopped because race is also used to determine boundries. I live in Scotts district which runs from the tip of Florida to Wyoming and is about 13” wide. The idea behind this is that, since judging people based on race is wrong, only black people can represent black people. (I can actually hear my brain cells committing suicide)

Of course, gerrymandering doesent always lead to permanent power. Democrats, who were the majority from reconstruction until about 10 years ago, gerrymandered vigorously every 10 years but, ultimately they still lost control.

PATRICK: Gerrymandering makes it so people can’t vote?

I thought gerrymandering created partisan districts.  I do keep hearing about Republican-dominated districts, which could cause Democrats & Independents to think that their votes don’t matter.  Perhaps this is what you mean?  You fear the disenfranchisement of liberal voters who might legalize gay marriage?

I’m with you there, man.

Margie,

Of course they have a great deal of influence, which is why insulting them and ridiculing their beliefs is only going to cause them to dig in their heels.

You straighten a crooked branch by applying subtle pressure over time, not by whacking it with a hammer and then throwing a hissy fit when it breaks. Forced bussing taught us that. Some of us, at least.

Larry, Please explain how Kaine is a tyrant for wanting to ban smoking in restaurants but, breaking up neighborhoods, pulling kids away from their friends and throwing them into a foriegn environment (often hostile)is honkey dorey? All that got us was a broken, and still crooked, branch.

Hey Margie! Gerrymandering is the most important issue facing the US today, period. If you do not understand why, please get a Civics textbook and learn the basis of a democracy/republic.

The issues of secondary groups such as homosexuals are minor in comparison. Sorry, but they are hardly suffering like many other peoples and families. BTW if one can’t vote, it is more important an issue than homosexual marriage.

Sarcasm notwithstanding, the effect of activism on the injustices of Jim Crow is a beacon of hope for people who underestimate their power to change things. Thanks, R. Smith.

As for pissing on someone’s God, religious beliefs are sacred only to those who hold them. Should I uphold the ritual sacrifice practiced by the Aztecs because they bear the religious label? If all religions are above critisism, what limits can we set on the pursuit of any persons idea of worship? I am not disrespecting anyone’s religion by labeling certain ideas they hold. I won’t be a hypocrite and pretend they are ok and off limits. Can you deny that they have a great deal of influence on our laws? They are fair game in trying to make changes in hearts and minds to influence the passage of these laws. If I have offended, I make no apology. Will they apoligize to me for making my own beliefs appear immoral and invalid, grounded in self-aggrandiziment? I won’t hold my breath.

When gerrymandering becomes more important to you than the misery in other peoples lives and the injustice they live with, it’s time to take a second look at your priorities. It isn’t an either-or situation.

Astonishingly we get this type of view about “fighting the good fight” or “hang-in there to make changes”, yet it is all about secondary issues of little importance to our lives.

Where is the outrage against the biggest threat to our survival as a country: gerrymandering? Do any of the posters “fighting the good fight” know what it means? Or is it more important to worry about rights of those practicing abnormal behavior than the basic voting rights of all Americans? Do we have any priorities?

BTW,

“Incestuous amplification” was already firmly rooted in news rooms and university faculties long before the ditto heads and Kos Kidz came along. If anything, todays echo chambers are the result of, not the originaters of, the problem.

...and speaking of incestuous amplification!

Good column! And the responses provide so much hope. I can just see the hordes of controlling, judgemental, narrow minded, intolerent, stunted people falling all over themselves to change their position before such reasoned argument, especially considering the absolutely non elitist and non moral supremecist tone (that we all know doesen’t exist among the valiant left) being expressed here. And if they don’t, we’ll force them to, just like we did those racist bastards back in the 50’s and 60’s. Then we’ll have the harmonious and understanding culture between gays and heteros that we have among blacks and whites today! Seriously, why waste the effort trying to change minds when you can just insult, condescend and bludgeon?

And if that doesen’t work, we’ll dip their god in piss and act surprised and offended when they get mad!

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