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Have you ever wondered if casting a vote really made a difference? I mean we all have been told that every vote counts. That sure was the case in the Florida debacle in 2000. But in so many ways I think it is fair to say that many Californians find that their vote does not truly sway an election.
There might be some truth to that. And I tell you why. Gerrymandering.
The United States Constitution demands a census to be taken every ten years to establish how many representatives each state shall be allotted. Now if you live in a small, population state like Wyoming then it is fairly safe to say that you will have just one representative. No need to worry about drawing up the lines for that. However we live in the most populous state, California, and the decision to draw up 53 congressional districts takes up paramount concern. So who is called upon to draw up the districts? The state legislature. Not only do they draw up the congressional districts but they also draw boundaries for their very own districts.
Now if the politicians in Sacramento did not have their own interests first, we probably would not have to worry about gerrymandering. Ah but that is not so. They have drawn districts that are all maintaining their power.
So why do I care and perhaps you do?
Because if the districts are rigged then the election is a farce. There has been no change in party control in the seats since 2002. It is a joke.
I tell you what else is of concern. The districts that have been designed are polarized to a great degree. The politicians know that the true fight is not in the general but in the primary. Who ever wins the primary will most likely win in the general. So what does that mean? If you are seeking to win the primary your only concern is gaining as many diehard party loyalists to vote for you. Thus independents, centrist voters and members of other parties are not present to temper the positions of politicians who seek victory in the primary. As a result when you have polarized districts you get polarizing politicians “representing” you.
So now we have people in Sacramento who are diametrically opposed to each other. There is no middle ground. There is no desire to find solutions that put California first. It is a game of brinkmanship. And that is leaving us Californians without much of a say in our government. Our districts don’t represent us and they elect people who don’t as well.
So there is a solution and while it may not be perfect it is a major step in the right direction: Proposition 11. It simply states that the people instead of the legislature will decide how the districts are drawn up. A commission composed of citizens much like that of a jury will be assigned the task of redistricting. It is time to keep the foxes from guarding the hen house.
So am I alone? No. In fact we can thank the city of Pasadena for being the first city in California to publicly endorse it. Right here in our 44th district. Councilman Steve Haderlein echoes my same sentiments in saying, “that the state districts have been created to be highly partisan, and what that creates is safe districts. So, you get tremendously partisan candidates. When you're dealing with tremendously partisan candidates ... compromise is out of the question. That brings gridlock to our state government." And it isn’t just the city of Pasadena that has signed on. Governor Schwarzenegger, League of Women Voters, ACLU, AARP and Common Cause all support this redistricting initiative. Frankly we need to get our government back and it starts with getting representatives that represents us.
So why is it odd that a Republican candidate would be supporting a proposition that has the support of the ACLU? I think what should be more telling is that the Democratic Party has come out AGAINST this proposition and thus is willing to part with its traditional allies. They realize that this proposition is a direct threat to their power.
Here in California, the Democratic Party is dominant. So it is obvious that any change to the status quo is a threat. However the Republican Party is dominant in other states namely Texas. I don’t care for gerrymandering by either party and I sure find the districts in Texas asked by Tom Delay to be a joke as well. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
So what are some examples of gerrymandering here in the 44th district? If you live in Arcadia or Monrovia you are definitely getting a raw deal. Your cities are divided in two. I have had people who are high in politics not know what district they live in. So you have neighbors not able to work as a unified force to direct their influence on one official but two or maybe three. If it isn’t cities it is school districts. Most people would probably think that the Pasadena Unified School District is only in Pasadena but it also covers Altadena and Sierra Madre. Now Altadena is in the 44th District but Sierra Madre is not. That isn’t right. The city is not on the extreme border of the 44th District but has instead been carved around it. It truly belongs in the 44th. Finally I give you San Marino. Frankly this is a city that has been historically in the 44th district. It is closer to Pasadena than Monrovia. In fact it borders the crown city. I give you another reason that San Marino should be in the district. When I was a varsity swimmer at La Cañada High School, we would play other schools in the Rio Hondo League. Guess what schools are in that league? Pasadena's Blair, San Marino, Monrovia, South Pasadena, La Cañada and Temple City. That is a generally good description of the 44th if you ask me. Gerrymandering need not be involved in politics. It is a crime against democracy. It denies you the voter an opportunity to have an impact on government. If the game is already rigged then you have already lost. That isn't right. Support reform. Vote for Prop. 11. Give reform a chance to succeed.
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