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This gripping and unforgettable Primus song, which is in the very rare time signature of 11/8 (specifically 3+3+3+2 – you can count “12312312312, 12312312312…”) is the ideal anthem for the upcoming year, as I’ll explain:
I just can’t seem to blend into society;
I have no hope for this dim simplicity of law and order
by whose rules
I see no rhyme in the reason;
I hold no hope for this holy treason of love and “so soft”
by whose standards
they tell me they tell me they tell me
Who are they?
Who is they?
One reason this year has been dubbed “Two-thousand ELEVEN” is because this is the time that California fulfills the promise (or threat) of 2008’s redistricting Proposition 11, which most writers on this blog supported, even though the major political parties opposed it – Brother Larry was even on the Citizens’ Redistricting Commission until just recently (and will probably tell us more in the comments.) The idea is to have our Congressional, Assembly, and Senate districts make more geographical sense, and no longer be gerrymandered “safe districts” for either Party. Make these lazy comfortable bastards fight for our votes!
A lot of my fellow Democrats are unhappy with the fact that Republicans have equal representation on the Commission, when they are far from being equally represented in California’s population. Good point. But I just like the idea of throwing everything up in the air and seeing what happens. How much worse could things be for the Calvert-Hedrick race when the 44th CD loses its hardcore Republican appendage poking out into San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Coto de Caza? Or for the vital effort of finally defeating Dana Rohrabacher once the 46th loses its long obscene finger snaking up the coast to Rancho Palos Verdes?
Happy New Year Vern.
Clarification While I was in one of the later applicant pools, I am not and was not one of the 14 chosen to “redraw the lines” to remove that power from Mr. Berman whom Loretta Sanchez said was worth every dollar it cost to protect her turf as he was very influential in controlled the voting districts.
I will add that quote sometime after catching a few bowl games. Following addresses what we can expect from these members.
Role of the Commissioner
“The Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) is a new, 14-member Commission that Californians created by passing the Voters FIRST Act at the November 2008 general election. The 14 commissioners will define the geographic boundaries for 80 Assembly districts, 40 Senate districts, and four State Board of Equalization districts so that they contain reasonably equal populations.
The Commission will have 7 ½ months to determine and agree on the districts starting January 1, 2011, through August 15, 2011—when the final maps must be presented to the Secretary of State for certification. During this 8 ½ month period, the duties of the commissioners will be complex and and may be time-consuming, but the Commission can hire staff and consultants to assist them in coordinating the activities of the Commission. However, there will be tasks that only the commissioners can perform. These tasks include, but are not limited to:
Holding public meetings throughout the State. Commissioners will solicit and hear public input as they determine which communities share common interests and should share common representation. During the hearings, testimony and presentations can be expected to be lengthy. Each meeting will require multiple members of the Commission to be in attendance and many meetings may be conducted in the evenings and on weekends to allow for more public attendance.
Reviewing and discussing pertinent data used to set geographic boundaries for districts. This information includes the census data from which the districts will be drawn, computer modeling of the census data to create potential districts, and the discussion and compromise that accompanies such an important process that will impact California for 10 years.
Hiring staff and directing their work. Some of the tasks may include: drafting and promulgating regulations; appointing a staff director; scheduling meetings and hearings, including the advanced notification of interested parties; maintaining records of the Commission’s deliberations; overseeing payroll, travel reimbursements, equipment purchases, and maintenance; and communicating with the entities that will request information regarding the Commission’s progress.
Voting and approving the final maps developed. The final maps will be the product of the redistricting process after public debate and compromise through different iterations of proposed district maps.
The time each commissioner will devote to the process and which tasks will be assigned to each individual commissioner will be up to the Commission. However, carrying out the duties of the Commission should be first and foremost for each commissioner during the 7 ½ month period in which the Commission must define the state Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization district lines.”
Gilbert notes. As stated they will also redraw congressional districts where too many members of both parties currently have very safe seats.
Case in point is the 23rd Congressional District which runs for 200 miles down the coast from the Monterey County line to Oxnard yet is only a few hundred yards wide.
Another example I have referenced in presentations is the 50th and 53rd CD in SD County surrounding and including La Jolla. The GOP controls the 50th and the Dem’s the 53rd. Look at the way these were carved up to see the need for change.
The Dems have the 23rd but the “tit for tat” is the Republican 46th. Crazy Dana only acts this nuts because he’s been safe for eleven terms.
Happy New Year Vern!!!
OC Supervisor districts are up, too.
Will Santa Ana be dismembered? Irvine? Will Brea finally be lumped back in with Fullerton and La Habra?