The U.S. Supreme Court decides to hear all about what the hell went on in Texas with the redistricting thing. We think they should sell tickets. The rest of the country will once again have their eyes on Texas as we collectively show how we can outdo just about anybody when it comes to politics as sport.
Who wants to go to Midland anyway? I cant believe they even bothered runnign an Interstate through there!!!
Thanks gayinmidland for your political insight. Even though I consider myself a middle of the road liberal, I do enjoy hearing your thoughts.
you know, it is possible to give fair representation to major (or, in midland's case, up-and-coming) population areas without totally cutting out and destroying the minority vote. The only people who gave a fuck about Midland were the people in Midland - and rightfully so, no argument here. So when the Rs redrew the lines, they could have corralled midland into one district without stepping on and destroying the minority and D vote - not to mention the entire political process. Also, just as an aside, not every city can have its own Congressman. Every map divides someone somewhere - people in Webb County were pissed that it was divided, people in DFW were mad about Arlington being divided, etc. As a local, you have a right to want that representation - but I think as a human being, you would need to consider (as i'm sure you probably do) that local pork isn't worth giving up everyone else's civil rights.
which now that i re-read your post, is probably why you have mixed feelings about it. lol
I have mixed personal feelings on this - for selfish reasons. For years, Midland never had a direct US representative. The Texas Democrats (when they were in charge) had cut Midland into three separate districts, diluting the Republicans here to nothing - much like the Republicans did to Austin in 2003, for the opposite reason.
The result of little or no representation can easily be seen on a Texas map. Even though Midland has over 100,000 people, until recently, there were no four-lane highways (other than the Interstate) coming into the town. Unfortunately (or fortunately - depending on your point of view) direct representation does bring federal government money (roads, buildings, government jobs, etc.) into your area.
If the map is ruled unconstitutional, Midland would, once again have no representation - until a new one is drawn. Additionally, even though I do not agree with the way Delay & Crew shoved through the plan, I live in a city that for years was the result of the same type of gerrymandering by the Democrats.