Skirting Politics: The Good Ole Boys 133, Women 47

This is a follow up to the blog I posted August 23, 2011, about the proposed redistricting maps, and how they will adversely affect your ability to elect someone who represents you.

 The Good Ole Boys 133, Women 47

It is blindingly obvious that the new Georgia House redistricting maps are targeting women legislators. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield will most certainly be a causality – as will several other women legislators. To put this in context, of the 180 members of the Georgia House, only 47 are women.

Even that paltry number was still too many for the Georgia Redistricting Committee. Well, it is understandable. After all, you know how pesky these women can be – always standing up for women, children, families, education, health, the environment and fairness – not to mention their willingness to reach out to their sisters across the aisle. Who wants that? Certainly not the Georgia Redistricting Committee.

The new redistricting maps also have districts designed to pit Democrats against Democrats. So by design, Georgia will lose more Democratic legislators, who are already as scarce as hen’s teeth. More importantly, the new maps are also crafted to pit white Democrats against black Democrats. As House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams described it, “essentially, what’s being created is a white Republican Party and a black Democratic Party.” She further noted, “The Voting Rights Act protects white voters as well as blacks.”

Dittoism at the Doorstep

Dittoism: Everyone thinking the same thought without a healthy tendency to break the uniformity of thought.

In my opinion, however, the more serious implication – if the redistricting proposal stands as created – is that it paves the way for a Republican Constitutional Majority. The proposed House map would create 121 Republican-leaning seats, with only 59 drawn for Democrats — enough GOP votes for the party to unilaterally override vetoes and put constitutional amendments on the ballot. Additionally, the redistricting proposal will most certainly enhance the state’s political polarization, because it removes any incentive, or need, for the two parties to cooperate. Oh boy, lockstep governance. How do you like it so far?

 Katy bar the door.

 The recent legislative attacks that we have seen on women’s rights, which many refer to as the “war on women,” could be worse next legislative session. Those loopy laws could now be constitutionalized.  The seriousness and importance of these new redistricting maps cannot be overstated.

All tyranny needs to gain a foothold is for people of good conscience to remain silent.” 

—   Thomas Jefferson

 Now is the time to voice any concerns you may have about the adopted maps, by contacting the DOJ using the methods described below.  The DOJ gives great weight to public input; you are the ones who will be impacted by these ill-conceived changes.

Please, contact the Department of Justice expressing your concerns about the proposed Georgia Redistricting maps.

The state has filed its pre-clearance application with the Department of Justice (DOJ), as well as filing litigation to overturn Section 5 of the Federal Voting Rights Act in the D.C. District Court.

 DOJ has 60 days to consider the state's application.

 Where to send your letter:
 
Mr. Chris Herren
Chief, Voting Section
Civil Rights Division
Room 7254 - NWB
Department of Justice
950 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Washington, DC 20530
 
 If you want to send your letter through an overnight express service such as Airborne, DHL, Federal Express or UPS, then your letter should be addressed to:
 
Mr. Chris Herren
Chief, Voting Section
Civil Rights Division
Room 7254 - NWB
Department of Justice
1800 G St., N.W.
Washington, DC 20006
 
You may also email your letter to vot1973c@usdoj.gov and please enter “Georgia Redistricting” in the subject field. 
 
If you would rather not send a letter or email, you may also call the Department of Justice at 1-800-253-3931 and ask to speak to the Georgia Redistricting team. 
 
You can also Fax 202-616-9514 and on your cover page, please reference “Georgia Redistricting”

In this case silence isn't golden, it's dangerous.