There are Republicans, and there are Republicans. I don't
know personally either of the RPM commissioners on the
redistricting commission, but they certainly didn't speak for
me when they voted to accept the final plan. This is
precisely the sort of back-scratching, log-rolling, "go along
to get along" nonsense that has driven people into the arms
of the Greens, the Reform Party, the Independence Party or any
other third party that looked like something different from
the same old same old.
When we take on the responsibilities of redistricting or
serving in political office, we are supposed to rise above
what is good for ourselves, what is good for our family, and
what is good for our party. We are supposed to do right by
our constituents, even those who didn't vote for us, and if
we serve on a city board or commission we are supposed to do
right by the city. I realize that not everyone rises to the
occasion; I realize that there are entirely too many people
in politics who are looking out for number one, or at best
their own party. This feeds the cynicism so many people have
towards politics, and must be rooted out at the ballot box
wherever and whenever possible. Otherwise we are going to wind
up with an alienated electorate ruled by that minority of
people for whom politics is a way to line their pockets, in
the absence of any other skill.
If the only way to rid ourselves of this puddle of vomit
masquerading as a redistricting plan is to bring suit, then
by all means let us do so. If there is some other way to
retain the integrity of our neighborhoods and prevent the
concentration of minorities and poor people into new electoral
ghettoes, then we must do it. We owe it not only to ourselves
but to our children, who deserve a better example of how the
government is supposed to serve the people than this.
Kevin Trainor
GOP Candidate, HD 61A
East Phillips, 6-10/9-?
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