Burnt Orange Report (![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif){kind=small} orangereport) wrote,@ 2003-06-18 16:37:00 |
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Rick Perry lies
From the letter Rick Perry sent to Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, and speaker Craddick today:
Really?? If the main purpose of redistricting is to draw a map with "fair" and "compact" lines that "protects communities of interest", then there's no need for a special session, because, that's what we have currently (notice that Bush carried 21 of 32 congressional districts, and carried 19 of 32 with over 60% of the vote). The proposed re-redistricting plan would tear apart communities of interest. Travis County would be divided into four congressional districts, where Travis County would be a majority in none. Harris County would have two whole Congressional districts, and parts and pieces of seven others. Suburban Houston, and suburban Dallas Republicans would represent rural counties with vastly different interests and concerns. The city of Lockhart, a town of several thousand about 30 minutes to the southeast of Austin, would be divided into three congressional districts.
My point? Be honest about it, Rick. This is a political power grab inspired by Tom DeLay. The purpose is to increase the number of Republicans in Congress through re-redistricting, because it couldn't be done through the ballot box. It's that simple.
Posted by: Byron L.
From the letter Rick Perry sent to Lt. Gov. Dewhurst, and speaker Craddick today:
... I am confident that Democrats and Republicans can likewise work together to develop a map that is fair, compact and protects communities of interest.
Really?? If the main purpose of redistricting is to draw a map with "fair" and "compact" lines that "protects communities of interest", then there's no need for a special session, because, that's what we have currently (notice that Bush carried 21 of 32 congressional districts, and carried 19 of 32 with over 60% of the vote). The proposed re-redistricting plan would tear apart communities of interest. Travis County would be divided into four congressional districts, where Travis County would be a majority in none. Harris County would have two whole Congressional districts, and parts and pieces of seven others. Suburban Houston, and suburban Dallas Republicans would represent rural counties with vastly different interests and concerns. The city of Lockhart, a town of several thousand about 30 minutes to the southeast of Austin, would be divided into three congressional districts.
My point? Be honest about it, Rick. This is a political power grab inspired by Tom DeLay. The purpose is to increase the number of Republicans in Congress through re-redistricting, because it couldn't be done through the ballot box. It's that simple.
Posted by: Byron L.
