Redistricting? Dispatch Says "To The Victor Goes The Spoils" Is How It Should Be

In today's editorial condemning Issue 2's proposed new mechanism for legislative redistricting, the Columbus Dispatch equates the status quo of extreme partisan power-grabbing with accountability.  They recommend a "no" vote, saying Issue 2 is "complicated, conflicted, and unaccountable to voters", and might cost us $15 million a year.

Complicated?  A 12-member, non-partisan, appointed panel with judicial oversight.  Pretty damn simple, I'd say.

$15 million a year?  Puh-leeze.  To draw some lines?  The Dispatch is just repeating the conservative scare-tactic talking point.  It's a big-number, shiny object.  And a huge bullshit exaggeration.

Conflicted?  With Issue 2, state appellate judges would have the power to reduce the field of potential panel members.  The Dispatch calls this a conflict of interest -- the supposed independent judiciary soiling their hands with a highly politicized activity like redistricting.

It's precisely because it's become such a blatant political exercise that Issue 2 is before us.  The Dispatch asserts that there's no conflict if we keep letting the craven, greedy, highly politicized state legislature draw the lines.  The Dispatch has its head up its ass, which is a frequent position for our local fish-wrap.

Unaccountable to voters?  The line-drawers would be appointed, not elected.  Good!  They'd therefore offer us a decent shot -- a better shot -- at more fairness and less partisanship.  Fairness is the real issue here.  Accountability is just a red herring.  Our elected officials are too beholden to too many interests.

As it stands, every 10 years the majority party can re-draw the districts to its own advantage.  And they do.  We can vote the bastards out, but we're stuck with their handiwork for a decade.  D majority or R majority, the system has never been "accountable".

And when, in the most recent redistricting, Ohio's GOP leaders brazenly gerrymandered their party into a guaranteed 75%-plus statehouse majority for the next 10 years, any semblance of fairness or accountability was abandoned.  The Republicans chose to go grossly, excessively way-the-fuck over the line.

That's why Issue 2 is on the ballot, and why you should vote "Yes".

Predictably, the Douchepatch hauled out the old standby GOP qualifier.  Goes like so:  We know their intentions are good, but their proposal isn't perfect.  There are better ways to do it.  So reject their proposal, and we'll come up with a new and improved idea.

But they never do.  It's the old okey-doke.  Don't buy it.  It's always been bullshit.

Yes On Issue 2!