Redistricting

Josh has some thoughts on redistricting/reform over at Talking Points. This is the issue in our recent CA election that gave me the most pause. The current system is clearly broken. It needs to be redone in some way. The concept of a judicial panel redrawing the lines per se doesnt bother me; I voted against Prop 77 merely because of the source of the proposition (I don't trust the corporatist Repugs to have MY (or your) best interest at heart.

But we need to do something to get more districts in play. As it is now, with a vast majority of the districts 'safe' for one party or the other, there's no impulse for centrists to enter; in fact, the politics of the situation makes it almost a given that the more extreme candidate, playing to the districts tendencies, will win thru to the general election.

Districts drawn 'randomly', rather than by polling results, would make it more likely that, in order to have any cross-over appeal, more moderate candidates, and ultimately Representatives, would arise (and hopefully win). The problem is in divising a system that is both fair and rational, and more importantly, constitutional. It's unlikely, at this point, given this court, any really radical redistricting reform would get through the Supremes. Still, one can hope and work towards the day it can be made manifest.