Wednesday,
January 14, 2004
| Redistricting
cause for anger Change could make Texas a one-party state Texas Democrats are angry, and they have a right to be. Republicans have only one more step to take before stealing as many as six congressional seats after a federal court upheld their maniacal redistricting plan. The new map represents a severe misuse of power that has the potential to make Texas a one-party state. As you may recall, Democrats did their best to stop redistricting, twice leaving the state rather than allowing the required quorum to vote on what was a Republican attempt to solidify a power-base that would last decades. They were harassed for this decision, when in fact they were acting in what they thought was the best interest of their constituents. This act of gerrymandering, along with similar schemes in Colorado and California, is reminiscent of a child’s squabble, with the Republicans being too proud to admit they’re wrong. The GOP already holds every statewide office in Texas, and after Rep. Ralph Hall, a long-time Democrat, switched parties, Texas Republicans can easily be labeled with that old adjective made famous by scolding mothers — selfish. However, it is too late for our opinion as citizens to change the situation. All we can hope for now is that the U.S. Supreme Court can see how trying to change the voting map of Texas is an unnecessary abuse of temporary authority. |