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[Schwarzenegger has just declared a November Special Election, having worked for months to acquire enough signatures to make this possible. The Special Election will enable the people to vote on issues including budget caps, awarding of tenure to teachers, and political districts. This blog strongly supports Schwarzenegger on budget caps and redistricting, and is currently considering the teacher tenure issue.
Today we have a guest post on redistricting from Chad Kaul, Co-Chair of Policy and Research for Californians for Fair Redistricting ).]
“Tyranny-mandering” is the most accurate depiction of the current legislative districts in California I have heard to date.
In 2001, the California legislators divided and conquered the state; now, they rule like despotic royals with little concern, or respect, for the people they represent. This is why 70% of Californians are discontented with their “democratic representation”. But what’s more disturbing is that the legislators don’t care about that 70% majority. Why doesn’t the Legislature care?
The answer’s simple: they don’t have to care. Their seats are locked in place; they’re comfy; and the legislators don’t want to get up and work for their privilege to represent their communities (as indicated by the abysmal support by the legislature—just 15.61%, all of whom are Republicans—for the Voter Empowerment Act, an initiative whose principals are supported by a solid majority of the voting public, 65%, Democrats and Republicans alike).
I attribute the Legislature’s lack of democratic solidarity to the corruptibility of man in the presence of power. This power-driven corruption takes party loyalty and renders it blind to each legislator’s fiduciary responsibility to their constituency. Some legislators become more interested in making impressions on the party elite – the people that can advance their careers – rather than the voters who elected them into power. This flaw in human nature touches at the heart of the problem with career politicians – they’re in it for power, for the lifestyle, and not the best interests for the people they are meant to serve. And unfortunately, the current system lends itself to these self-important, power-centric politicians who pander to whoever can get them the most money, power, prestige, etc.
These power-centric politicians like having that “Rep.” or “Sen.” in front of their names. It gives them a false sense of entitlement that helps them justify their blind loyalty to a system that has been horribly corrupted by the horribly corrupted party elite. It is not a mindset or a culture people in the private sector (average Americans with an entrepreneurial, democratic spirit) care to understand or can even being to respect. We are too busy meeting objective standards and obligations every day.
All too often these career politicians, because of the corrupt political culture, are slaves to the ideology of the party elite. So, legislators toe the party line, pander to their leaders and justify their blind loyalty in their pursuit of power. Eventually, you get what we have in California: a bunch of incompetents—who, as a requisite, lack the individualistic conviction to lead—being propped up by the party bosses to rule, not represent, a citizenry they disregard.
In California, the gerrymander has mutated. The catalyst was the cannibalistic, political power structure crafted by the party elite, implemented over time; it set the stage for the 2001 “tyranny-mander”.
Please note the Pelosi/Tauscher feud in 2001:
It was not long after voicing her support for Hoyer that Tauscher went public over growing rumors that state Senator John Burton (D-San Francisco), a close political ally of Pelosi’s, planned to weaken Democratic support in her Bay Area district as a payback. ‘I think these threats [of political reprisal] are inappropriate and they ought to be stopped,’ Tauscher complained, ‘Considering the close relationship between Nancy and John Burton, I think she could have them stopped.’ Like Pelosi would want to.”
“Ms. Tauscher is a three-term Democrat from the suburbs of San Francisco who won her seat as a moderate free-trader. She became vice chair of the Democratic Leadership Council, chiding her own party’ protectionists and voting for several trade accords. Business groups threw their support and cash behind her re-election, along with other “New Democrats.”
So they (and we) were shocked to discover that in the critical vote to grant President Bush trade promotion authority which passed by a single vote. Ms. Tauscher cast her lot with the “nays.” At first we suspected pressure from Big Labor, but that proved to be only half right. The bigger cause of her 180-degree ideological shift turns out to be California ’s once-a-decade gerrymander. Like every other Congressperson in our most populous state, Ms. Tauscher has suddenly been granted a “safe” seat. Provided she plays by the new rules, that is.
(Source: “Cheating Seating” By: Editorial Staff, The Wall Street Journal, December 27, 2001.)
This begs some questions:
If the legislators are oppressed – not free to express ideas openly without fear of being gerrymandered out of office—by the party elite, what chance do the citizens of California have? What direction does this lead us in as a state? A country? And for those that agree with the ideology of the party elite: how much corruption … (note: Michael Berman, the “premier redistricting consultant in the state of California” and mastermind of the 2001 “tyranny-mander”, who was paid nearly $2 million by the majority Democrats for an “incumbent protection plan”. Michael, conveniently enough, happens to be the brother of Rep. Howard Berman who made headlines for “gerry-dumping” Latinos to stifle competition for his upcoming Congressional primary.) … again, how much corruption, and the incidental contempt for minority self-determination, is justifiable in the pursuit of the best interests of an ideologically driven legislature – understanding, of course, that corruption breeds corruption, like a virus? Is this what Californians want? Is this what Americans want? To step in the direction of tyranny?
It is our obligation as responsible Americans to preserve the democratic integrity of our country. The Legislators’ deliberate subversion of our democracy—California’s “tyranny-mander”—must be met with hostile opposition.
I think Thomas Jefferson would agree:
“I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man.”—Thomas Jefferson
Final notes:
The November 2005 special election is the key to taking back the power from the despots in Sacramento.
Do not believe the hype from media outlets that parrot the rhetoric of the party elite, deeming the special election “unnecessary” or redistricting “undoable” by 2006.
The special election is absolutely necessary as a means to tear down the contemptible house of cards in Sacramento that has stripped you of your democratic rights to fair representation, under God—not under the California Legislature. As for the logistics of implementation:
Advancements in mapping technology now make it possible to have workable maps ready in time for the candidate declaration deadline, 113 days before the June election. (Please read Bill Mundell’s OP-ED in The Orange County Register for more information on the timeframe.)
Those that hop on the “can’t do” band wagon regarding redistricting likely have something to lose (power, money, ego, etc.). Those that hop on the “can do” band wagon certainly have something to gain—and the ones that stand to gain the most from the return of fair elections in California are the people of California.
The party bosses can feel their days are numbered and will do anything – ANYTHING – to maintain their stranglehold on the California electorate. They are power-centric and believe, intrinsically, in their ideology for one simple reason: it is the tool they use to get power.
The special election is a turning point in California’s history. We must reject tyranny, “clean house”, and protect ourselves against the root causes of the “tyranny-mander” for future generations. In doing so, we will pave the way for leaders with integrity and a much brighter future for California.
For more about redistricting and The Voter Empowerment Act visit www.redistrictnow.com .
—Chad Kaul, Co-Chair of Policy and Research for Californians for Fair Redistricting.
