RSLC: Cheat to Win

Hitting the nail right on the nose, this opinion piece effectively diagnoses the problem in Democratic strategy today.  Essentially, the author points out why Republicans retain control of the House of Representatives, pinning down Congress, even though popular opinion (and votes) has opposed them on a number of key issues.  The House of Representatives is the most conservative it has been in more than 60 years (see here), but its not necessarily reflective of the political leanings of American citizens.

By winning elections in key states, and redrawing the legislative districts, Republicans have managed to retain their seats in Congress, even when popular votes were against them.  This stunning - and unfair - tactic is well demonstrated in the following quote.

'The 2012 elections showed how effective this 2011 gerrymandering was. As the RSLC boasted in January:

“Pennsylvanians cast 83,000 more votes for Democratic U.S. House candidates than their Republican opponents, but elected a 13-5 Republican majority to represent them in Washington; Michiganders cast over 240,000 more votes for Democratic congressional candidates than Republicans, but still elected a 9-5 Republican delegation to Congress. Nationwide, Republicans won 54 percent of the U.S. House seats, along with 58 of 99 state legislative chambers, while winning only 8 of 33 U.S. Senate races and carrying only 47.8 percent of the national presidential vote.” '

To me, this kind of gerrymandering shows not only a disrespect for the American populace and the ideals of this country, but clear cut entitled arrogance.  Not only does the RSLC acknowledge that they have undermined the voting system, they gleefully congratulate themselves for doing so.  When the social climate & popular opinion turns against them, the RSLC is willing to cheat to win.

Unfortunately, these sorts of tactics, though obviously underhanded, are not illegal.  And given the Supreme Court's last few verdicts, indicating a general policy to uphold states' rights (as they should), if the Democratic party wants to influence policy and actually effect change, it should make sure those states are divided up in a fair manner.

Update from 2015: Florida Supreme Court decides gerrymandering is not allowed.