SCOTUS blocks lower court ruling on NC gerrymandering | THE COLLINE GATE

robeiae
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On a down bound train

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SCOTUS blocks lower court ruling on NC gerrymandering Jan 19, 2018 8:47:26 GMT -5 Don likes this

Post by robeiae on Jan 19, 2018 8:47:26 GMT -5

Scotusblog on the case: www.scotusblog.com/2018/01/court-puts-temporary-hold-north-carolina-redistricting-order/

Last week a three-judge federal court in North Carolina struck down the state’s federal congressional map, ruling that Republicans had drawn the map to give themselves an advantage over Democrats – specifically, the court stressed, to guarantee Republicans’ “domination of the state’s congressional delegation.” The court ordered the state legislature to come up with a new plan by January 24, but tonight the Supreme Court put that order on hold, to give the state’s Republicans time to appeal.

The order: www.supremecourt.gov/orders/courtorders/011818zr1_b97c.pdf

Really, this order is just about fairness, when it comes to allowing an appeal, with the looming reality of primary filings beginning in February (tough to file for primaries in districts that are subject to change, when residency is a consideration.

Still, I think it also indicates that the case is setting up to be a pretty big deal, now.

Personally, I'd love to see gerrymandering come to an end...all gerrymandering.

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SCOTUS blocks lower court ruling on NC gerrymandering Jan 19, 2018 10:06:30 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2018 10:06:30 GMT -5

All gerrymandering needs to stop, and the sooner the better.

Here is a "both parties" thing -- both parties have been guilty of this, and pretty egregiously. I've heard of some dismal examples in favor of Democrats. But the abuse is really particularly fucking obvious just now on the Republican side because they hold so much power in so many places and have for a while.

We should not go another election cycle like this. We can fix it, and we should, ASAP.

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SCOTUS blocks lower court ruling on NC gerrymandering Jan 19, 2018 10:52:41 GMT -5

Post by Deleted on Jan 19, 2018 10:52:41 GMT -5

As to why Republicans have a particular motivation to do this right now (beyond the usual), as well as why they are embracing the wackadoodle populist stuff, I submit it's because they know they won't win otherwise.

See, e.g., www.vox.com/2018/1/18/16880524/donald-trump-democracy-republicans-trumpocracy

David Frum, who is an author and conservative editor at the Atlantic magazine, thinks Republicans have backed themselves into a corner.

In Frum’s new book Trumpocracy, he argues that Republicans are wedded to an ideology that cannot succeed democratically. They have virtually abandoned the democratic process, he believes, and have chosen to support a demagogue who can push their unpopular agenda. It’s a strong rebuke of the current president and the Republican establishment that has enabled him at every step.

I spoke to Frum about the dangers of this moment, and why he thinks Republicans will, ultimately, have to face up to the fact that what they believe can’t be achieved if everybody votes.

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