Illinois Redistricting Update: Democrats’ Secret Power Play

[brooklynite]

Source: Cook Political Report

May 19, 2011

House Editor David Wasserman writes:

Behind closed doors in Springfield, it’s a story of brass-knuckled Democrats and white-knuckled Republicans. A select few of the most influential Democrats in state politics are putting the finishing touches on a new Congressional map that would radically reshape the state’s presence in Washington for the next decade. The map would erase much of the current map, give favored incumbent Democrats safe haven from tough primaries and general elections, and threaten to end the careers of up to six GOP members of Congress. According to several sources, the map could be unveiled as early as this week and could reach a vote and Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn’s desk with little to no public input.

Read more: http://cookpolitical.com/

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I believe in non-partisan redistricting and openly competitive seats. But if the Republicans don't want to play fair (here in NY, they want the redistricting reform put into the State Constitution, which conveniently means it wouldn't take effect this time), I don't feel we need to unilaterally.

[calimary]

1. I couldn't agree more. There is no playing fair if one side refuses.

The only way to ensure anything near a level playing field, if you're playing against cheaters and scammers and dirty tricksters aimed at rigging the game - is to counter-rig it. LEVEL PLAYING FIELD AGAIN.

I know, I know, I know. The purists here say that means that makes us no better than the bad guys. Well, screw that! The reality we HAVE TO deal with, whether we approve of it or find it sufficiently moral or not, is this:

If the bad guys do this shit and win, where are we THEN?

All the morality in the world and the principles and dreams of old-fashioned fair play and The Golden Rule, and a dime, will get you a few minutes in a parking meter. How will that help the poor? How will that help the teachers? How will that help the elderly? How will that help the firefighters and police? How will that help the homeless? How will that help the veterans and the disabled? How will that help disadvantaged or abused children? How will that help the unemployed or the uninsured? We'll all be dumped in the garbage with them, and the republi-CONS who cheated and won will be laughing all the way to the bank. It means they'll have unfettered freedom to destroy everything we believe in, plus a few little details that Jesus might have recommended. We'll be locked out from having any positive impact, being barred from setting the agenda, prevented from having the necessary influence and ranking to make the changes and improvements (and protect the protections - like the social safety net and collective bargaining!) that are needed.

[former9thward]

2. "give favored incumbent Democrats safe haven from tough primaries"

Translation, they don't want progressives messing anything up.

[madrchsod]

6. yup.....progressives are not welcome in the illinois democratic party

the last one we had was paul simon and he`s been dead for years...

[w4rma]

8. We'll see how that works out. (nt)

[truebrit71]

3. What's good for the goose is good for the gander...

Suck it rethuglican assholes!!!

[AndyTiedye]

4. The 27 Teabagger States Are All Doing Their Own Gerrymandering

There ain't no such thing as non-partisan redistricting.

[madrchsod]

5. the biggest problem is chicago/cook county

chicago lost 200,000 since the last redistricting. outside of chicago the state is 50-50 with moderates on both sides. there will not be a big remapping of the state.

[cstanleytech]

7. Emotionally I want to agree with you but I cant.

Why? Because playing this type of game is wrong regardless who is doing it and districts need to be setup in as fair and in as accurate a manner as can be and not manipulated so as to keep a specific party or person in control or in office.

[rayofreason]

9. There is ethical behavior and there is....

....playing by the rules. As long as you do the latter you are fine.

Political parties can play games like gerrymandering, or use parliamentary maneuvers and tricks to get their way, and that is just the way it is. I really don't have a problem with using the rules to your advantage just as long as you understand that the other side may turn the tables on you some day. So the way I see it, the Illinois Dems are just being grownups and using every advantage they have to advance their agenda.