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(2005-09-16) Brin Gerrymander Effects

David Brin on the effects of Gerry Mander-ing. This immoral practice has become so rampant, perpetrated by both parties, that it will take a later, wiser generation to finally deal with it. Alas, even those who complain about gerrymandering focus mostly upon how it affects the raw numbers of seats won by each party in each state. Seldom does anybody talk about other aspects that are - in the long run - far more debilitating of American political life. One major effect has been to empower radical elements in both parties. Within safe districts, even the very worst indignation junky (see Part One) can start with a militant power base, leverage it with cash, seize a Congressional seat and then do whatever he likes until Judgement Day. No amount of graft or scandal or outright maniacal looniness will ever suffice to budge him.

Sept30 - he starts a long piece on Gerry Mander-ing in general.

Oct2 - But this superficial numbers game - balancing seven extra seats for the Texas GOP vs six for California democrats - only serves to conceal and distract from a core fact ... that nearly all U.S, Congressional districts - along with state assembly and senate seats - have been gerrymandered in one direction or another. Indeed, there are other effects of gerrymandering that go far beyond the total numbers game or a slight left-or-right shift among the jostling parties on Capitol Hill. These far-worse side effects add up to both a disenfranchisement of the average American voter and a steady rise in uncompromising radicalism, not only in Washington but all across America.

His Bottom-Up (and only) strategy: if you're in district with one overwhelmingly strong party, register for that party, and try to change the shape of the primary races.

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