2010 Ballot Initiative - Gerrymandering

[CMG22]

For any of you who may not be aware, I was stopped at the post office yesterday asking to sign for the ballot initiative for both US Congressional and FL Congressional districts to restrict gerrymandering.  The text of the initiative is this:

Congressional districts may not be drawn to favor or disfavor an incumbent or political party. Districts shall not be drawn to deny racial or language minorities the equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect representatives of their choice. Districts must be contiguous. Unless otherwise required, districts must be compact, as equal in population as feasible, and where feasible must make use of existing city, county and geographical boundaries.

The only part I really like about the text is the last sentence.  However, I did sign the petition.  I don't like the idea that living in the Florida 4th, my representative has to take Tallahassee into consideration.  If you live in the 3rd, just wow.  Rep. Brown's district has to be one of the worst examples out there.  Have any of you seen the signature gatherers out and about?  Thoughts?

Check out Florida's US Congressional districts here:  http://edr.state.fl.us/redistricting/WallmapCongress.pdf

[urbanlibertarian]

Republicans have benefited greatly from "majority minority" districts which concentrate Democrats in a district in order to elect an ethnic minority member of Congress with the unintended consequence of diluting the Democratic numbers in adjoining districts.  Should parties be prevented from shooting themselves in the foot?

[FayeforCure]

I did sign the petition.  I don't like the idea that living in the Florida 4th, my representative has to take Tallahassee into consideration.  If you live in the 3rd, just wow.  Rep. Brown's district has to be one of the worst examples out there.  Have any of you seen the signature gatherers out and about?  Thoughts?

Check out Florida's US Congressional districts here:  http://edr.state.fl.us/redistricting/WallmapCongress.pdf

Rep. Mica's district runs right along Brown's district. Both snake from Jacksonville into Orlando. Since Mica resides in Orlando, you can imagine which area has his priority.

[BridgeTroll]

All the more reason to sign the petition... you know... for the good of the people.

[gmpalmer]

Sign sign sign!

[downtownparks]

Crenshaws is just as bad. The Republican led Fl Legislature has given Brown a district, so it can keep Mica and Crenshaws districts intact.

Personally, I think they all need to be tossed out on their ears.

[gmpalmer]

Well at least Corrine will be thrown out on her ear -- Glorious Johnson is running against her in 2010.

[tufsu1]

Don't count on it....I heard Gloriou was running for Mayor...plus Corrine delivers!

[CMG22]

I'll campaign for Glorious for Mayor or Congress!  But I've heard Mayor...

[Southbanker]

Don't count on it....I heard Gloriou was running for Mayor...plus Corrine delivers!

Always had mixed feelings for dear old Corrine, but this was a deal breaker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x5tXMLI-OsI

If you watch the full video of her speech it is just as bad.  How many words and names can you screw up in 1 speech?  And yes, she did actually wear that robe!   

Ugh!

[mtraininjax]

Crenshaw has been a dissappointment. When he delivers a carrier and IT ShowS UP and stays longer than an oil change, I will reverse that statement.