Prop 11: Resdistricitng Reform and HOPE for CA (Los Angeles: budget, office)

[sav858]

I didn't even realize this until an article I just read in the LA Times, but CA has a proposition, Prop 11, on the ballot this November looking to strip the state legislature of it's power to draw congressional districts.

I think this is a great and provides SOME of the fundamental changes needed to bring good government back to CA. We have such extreme, partisan politicians who fight and bicker with each other, getting nothing done. Our recent budget stalemate is a great example of that. Too many extremists lefties and righties in office. Please take a look at the prop and VOTE YES. We need more MODERATE politicians that can compromise and work for Californians instead of the do nothing incumbents who are always elected. This prop is a great way to put CA back on the right direction and fix the mess that our state has become.

LA Times Article: Gerrymandering a key culprit in California budget mess - Los Angeles Times

"That was especially true of the last gerrymander in 2001. The Legislature redrew legislative and congressional districts to protect the political status quo, keeping general-election competition to a bare minimum.

Districts were shaped to be "safe" for either a Democrat or a Republican. As a result, the real election battles have been waged in the party primaries. And since low-turnout primaries normally are dominated by party purists, the contests usually have been won by candidates who run the furthest to the left or the right."

'One big problem for the public is that there is no real accountability for legislators after the primary. No current lawmaker running for reelection faces any serious competition in November."