Gerrymandering Jumps the Rails! Catch this! Two-hundred thirty-eight years ago…Patrick Henry, a prominent Anti-Federalist and member of the Virginia House of Delegates, famously attempted to gerrymander James Madison out of the first U.S. Congress in 1788-1789. Henry, who feared a strong federal government, drew a 5th District that packed Madison’s home county with anti- federalist… Continue reading Gerrymandering Jumps the Rails!
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Cry Thy Beloved Country…
Cry Thy Beloved Country… It’s nine months since the January inauguration and the changing of the guard. A rogue president—together with handpicked marauders—continue their ruthless coup d’état against the people of the United States of America. Controlling both legislative branches, the presidency, and an openly-partisan “don’t let the robes fool you” Supreme Court, all checks… Continue reading Cry Thy Beloved Country…
Taking the life of a nation is a serious task…
Taking the life of a nation is a serious task… On the fourth day of North Carolina Early Voting, I drove to a polling place to cast my 2024 ballot. Afterwards, walking out into the bright morning sunlight, I felt relief that the chore was done. Eight months will pass before need arises again. Not… Continue reading Taking the life of a nation is a serious task…
If you’re wondering …
If you’re wondering … …what elections look like when democracy has been usurped and replaced by a dictatorship, you needn’t glance far beyond the boundaries of the United States. Venezuela—1360 miles southeast of Miami—held elections last month. How did those elections go? Check these bytes from NYT News Service: “The country’s authoritarian leader, Nicolas Maduro,… Continue reading If you’re wondering …
U.S. Supreme Court turns its back on gerrymandering! Again!
U.S. Supreme Court turns its back on gerrymandering! Again! In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) decided in North Carolina’s Rucho v. Common Cause that the Court would not consider whether Congressional electoral maps are partisan gerrymanders. They claimed the question beyond their reach, that federal courts can only weigh in IF such maps are… Continue reading U.S. Supreme Court turns its back on gerrymandering! Again!
Surprise! Map litigation! A people’s ballot initiative? And, anti-democracy voices
Surprise! Map litigation! A people’s ballot initiative? And, anti-democracy voices As the new year marches in, democracy in our once proud state of North Carolina is on life support. Yes, some of us are still able to cast ballots, but elections for our 14 seats in the U.S. House and 170 seats in our General… Continue reading Surprise! Map litigation! A people’s ballot initiative? And, anti-democracy voices
North Carolina legislature trips trapdoor – Democracy is throttled and left for dead
North Carolina legislature trips trapdoor – Democracy is throttled and left for dead Last week, I drove to Hickory, North Carolina to testify at yet another redistricting/map-making hearing. Yes, we’re at it again. When the GOP won a 5-2 majority in the state supreme court in November, that body—in an unprecedented action—overturned late 2022… Continue reading North Carolina legislature trips trapdoor – Democracy is throttled and left for dead
Democracy dodges knockout punch in Supreme Court’s Moore v Harper ruling
Democracy dodges knockout punch in Supreme Court’s Moore v Harper ruling The previous Flush GerryMander of May 12, 2023 led with this chilling observation: “For more than 9 months, I’ve warned about the U.S. Supreme Court (SCOTUS) independent legislative theory case, Moore v. Harper. Contrived from thin air by GOP-controlled legislatures in North Carolina… Continue reading Democracy dodges knockout punch in Supreme Court’s Moore v Harper ruling
Supreme Court(s) and disaster…democracy now purged from North Carolina
Supreme Court(s) and disaster…democracy now purged from North Carolina For more than 9 months, I’ve warned about the U.S. Supreme Court independent legislative theory case, Moore v. Harper. Contrived from thin air by GOP-controlled legislatures in North Carolina and Pennsylvania, the case posits that states should have unchecked power to manage federal elections by gerrymandering… Continue reading Supreme Court(s) and disaster…democracy now purged from North Carolina
About those November North Carolina judicial elections…
About those November North Carolina judicial elections… …they didn’t go well. North Carolina’s majority legislative party swept all state-wide judicial races. They now effectively OWN our courts. (Of historical interest—after the Nazi rise to power in 1933, the German system of justice underwent “coordination”—effectively meaning alignment with Nazi goals.) Running up to our November… Continue reading About those November North Carolina judicial elections…