Gerrymandering

[Danny Bateman]

Groundwork laid by RBG in a 'tangential' case being leaned on in lower courts: https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/01/ruth-bader-ginsburgs-sneaky-attack-on-partisan-gerrymandering-is-beginning-to-pay-dividends.html?via=recirc_engaged

This is QUITE the quote from the guy who drew North Carolina's map:

There’s no question that North Carolina Republicans manipulated their state’s congressional map to disfavor Democratic voters. The GOP legislator who helped to draw the current map, state Rep. David Lewis, openly declared that the scheme constituted “a political gerrymander,” explaining: “I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats. So I drew this map to help foster what I think is better for the country.” Lewis also admitted that he used “political data in drawing this map” for the sole purpose of “gain[ing] partisan advantage,” his ultimate “goal.” He succeeded, giving Republicans an advantage in 10 out of the state’s 13 congressional districts—while noting that he would’ve preferred “to draw a map with 11 Republicans and two Democrats.”

What audacity. This guy clearly isn't afraid what he's doing is unconstitutional. Still, I can't imagine your average person who comes across this quote is going to feel great about it. 

 

[Danny Bateman]

This is very good. It doesn't fix gerrymandering in North Carolina, but it prevents the horrible NC GOP from seizing control of the State Election Board away from Governor Roy Cooper (D).

Looks like North Carolinians will have to settle for fair voting rights instead!
 

 

[Making Chimichangas]

Gerrymandering (and I know both sides do it) should be, by law, 100% illegal.  With what others have posted about the states of North Carolina and Pennsylvania, it is clear that the Republican agenda is to only allow white people the right to vote.  And most white Republicans insist they're not racist.   :blink:

As a side note, I have always wondered how a state like Texas, which is 1/2 or more Hispanic, has an almost 100% white male, Republican, led state legislature.  Well, now I know...gerrymandering.  #F'ingCrookedRepublicans

 

[Mierin]

Gerrymandering (and I know both sides do it) should be, by law, 100% illegal.  With what others have posted about the states of North Carolina and Pennsylvania, it is clear that the Republican agenda is to only allow white people the right to vote.  And most white Republicans insist they're not racist.   :blink:

As a side note, I have always wondered how a state like Texas, which is 1/2 or more Hispanic, has an almost 100% white male, Republican, led state legislature.  Well, now I know...gerrymandering.  #F'ingCrookedRepublicans

It's not half. According to wikipedia, 37.6% identify as Hispanic.
 

But here's a nice map of a Texas district. This went to court, I think the anti-gerrymanderers won at first, then the Republicans won. Not sure what's happening with it now. I got tired of searching.

 

[Making Chimichangas]

It's not half. According to wikipedia, 37.6% identify as Hispanic.
 

But here's a nice map of a Texas district. This went to court, I think the anti-gerrymanderers won at first, then the Republicans won. Not sure what's happening with it now. I got tired of searching.

I think 37% Hispanic is a gross under-representation of the general populace of Texas.  I mean, I can't prove that empirically, but it just seems really low.  I've been to Texas, specifically Dallas/Ft. Worth and most of the city seems to be brown.  That was my general impression/over-view anyway.

 

[Danny Bateman]

@Making Chimichangas I don't know if I would say the overriding goal of GOP state parties is to allow only white people to vote... clearly their goal is to allow only GOP voters to vote whenever possible or dump as many Dem votes into as few Dem dominated districts (where they'd be wasted) as possible. For certain groups like the North Carolina GOP, disenfranchising black voters & fighting for white voters merely becomes a necessary part of their overall goal.

Texas has the demographics to slowly shift blue as an electoral college state as time passes. There's no telling when it will finally happen, but if and when it does,, it will be an absolute gamechanger that will force the GOP to adapt its electoral strategy. It's not undoable... remember, even deep blue California used to be a far more conservative-friendly state. 

State legislatures, though...that's tough. The parties really do view them as testing grounds for partisan agendas, if you can seize the requisite power. States like Texas will be some of the last bastions to fall if gerrymandering is done in & fair voting rights are enforced. They won't just go away. They'll have to have power taken from them.

 

[Mierin]

I think 37% Hispanic is a gross under-representation of the general populace of Texas.  I mean, I can't prove that empirically, but it just seems really low.  I've been to Texas, specifically Dallas/Ft. Worth and most of the city seems to be brown.  That was my general impression/over-view anyway.

I know that El Paso has about 80% Spanish speaking population. I think it's mostly the cities. Anyhow, the Census is 7-8 years old now. In case you missed it, the GOP is trying to fix the Census too.

 

[Making Chimichangas]

@Making Chimichangas I don't know if I would say the overriding goal of GOP state parties is to allow only white people to vote... clearly their goal is to allow only GOP voters to vote whenever possible or dump as many Dem votes into as few Dem dominated districts (where they'd be wasted) as possible. For certain groups like the North Carolina GOP, disenfranchising black voters & fighting for white voters merely becomes a necessary part of their overall goal.

Texas has the demographics to slowly shift blue as an electoral college state as time passes. There's no telling when it will finally happen, but if and when it does,, it will be an absolute gamechanger that will force the GOP to adapt its electoral strategy. It's not undoable... remember, even deep blue California used to be a far more conservative-friendly state. 

State legislatures, though...that's tough. The parties really do view them as testing grounds for partisan agendas, if you can seize the requisite power. States like Texas will be some of the last bastions to fall if gerrymandering is done in & fair voting rights are enforced. They won't just go away. They'll have to have power taken from them.

The part in green...Based on what you've said, it seems to me that disenfranchising any voter that isn't white is par for the course of the Republican agenda.  Granted there are non-white Republicans, but they are by far minorities within minorities.  And disenfranchising non-white voters seems to be the GOP's SOP. 

The rest: I agree.

 

[Danny Bateman]

You'd have to think Trump's demands for an immigration deal, like ending family-based migration & drastically reducing LEGAL immigration in addition to stepped up deportations - applauded roundly by nationalist immigration hawks like Steve King & Senator Tom Cotton -are an attempt to massively reduce the slow darkening of America, as well.

 

[Kiyoat Husker]

I think 37% Hispanic is a gross under-representation of the general populace of Texas.  I mean, I can't prove that empirically, but it just seems really low.  I've been to Texas, specifically Dallas/Ft. Worth and most of the city seems to be brown.  That was my general impression/over-view anyway.

Although I am very anti gerrymandering, I have to call you out on this statement as a gross over-generalization based on limited experience.  This is the kind of thing I hate in political arguments, where someone discredits data based on personal observations.

i know you didn't mean anything by  it, but I just thought I would mention it.  I would guess that large urban areas in Texas might have a different racial makeup than smaller towns?

 

[Kiyoat Husker]

I would also add that Republicans are really shooting themselves in the foot with regard to racial and national xenophobia.  Hispanics as a group have shown voting patterns that are as diverse as they are.  Many hispanics in America are very socially conservative, but will never support a guy like Trump, for obvious reasons.

 The increase in Hispanic demographics in America don't have to hurt the Conservatives, if they could just drop the whole racism thing.  IMO 

 

[Mierin]

I would also add that Republicans are really shooting themselves in the foot with regard to racial and national xenophobia.  Hispanics as a group have shown voting patterns that are as diverse as they are.  Many hispanics in America are very socially conservative, but will never support a guy like Trump, for obvious reasons.

 The increase in Hispanic demographics in America don't have to hurt the Conservatives, if they could just drop the whole racism thing.  IMO 

Indeed. I'm guessing a huge proportion of Hispanics are pro life.

 

[Making Chimichangas]

Although I am very anti gerrymandering, I have to call you out on this statement as a gross over-generalization based on limited experience.  This is the kind of thing I hate in political arguments, where someone discredits data based on personal observations.

i know you didn't mean anything by  it, but I just thought I would mention it.  I would guess that large urban areas in Texas might have a different racial makeup than smaller towns?

That is entirely possible.  It could very well be that the urban areas do paint a different picture than other, more rural areas.  I still think that ~37% is a low estimation though.

 

[Kiyoat Husker]

That is entirely possible.  It could very well be that the urban areas do paint a different picture than other, more rural areas.  I still think that ~37% is a low estimation though.

It it wasn't an estimation.  It was the US Census.  I'm sure there is a little grey area because it is based on people self-reporting race, but there are literally millions of data points they are basing it on.

 On the other hand, I'd say your observations qualify as anecdotal.  Tiny sampling point, and the way someone looks is not a reliable predictor of race or ethnicity.  Tan caucasians can look Hispanic, and there are plenty of latinos that are whiter in color than the average Nebraskan.

 

[Kiyoat Husker]

Indeed. I'm guessing a huge proportion of Hispanics are pro life.

Yup, as well as drug-dealing rapists.  That's what I am told, anyway, so it must be true.