(no subject)

[madbaker]

Congratulations, you California voters who turned down Proposition 77. Sure, it wasn't perfect - but it was far better than the current system.
Legislators promised that if voters rejected it, they would pass redistricting reform this year.

Guess what? They lied. The Senate passed a bill, but made sure that it didn't get to the Assembly in time for a vote.
So we're still stuck with a system where politicians gerrymander districts to ensure their re-election.

And you wonder why voters are cynical and don't vote?

Congratulations.

Comments

[aastg.livejournal.com]

Congratulations (and responsibility) accepted.

I voted cheerfuly in that election, and while 77 had some aspects to recommend it, it was part of a larger GOP agenda that needed to be slapped down hard. Perhaps this is guilt by association, but it was important to drive the point home to Arnold & the CA GOP.

I've only missed one election in the 30 years I've been voting. I am still not cynical about that right and I never will be. I save that for politicians.

[madbaker.livejournal.com]

(several angry and pointless retorts deleted)

I'm cynical about politicians too, which is why I vote and why I voted for redistricting reform. From experience, I do not believe that they can be trusted to choose who votes for them.

As far as it being a "GOP power grab", California is not Texas. Redistricting reform will probably be something embraced by the minority party, because they have less to lose. But it was only grudgingly supported by the California GOP, and only because their candidate was pushing it. Recall that both parties were complicit in the 1990 redistricting that solidified voting districts at their then-current party split.

Now, even if this had passed, I don't believe that California would have turned into a Republican state. Or that the balance of power would have shifted perceptibly.