To think that in a democracy lawmakers have to be told not to be evil, and that this would take up the time of the Supreme Court. Some truths are self evident, why is this even up for discussion?
We are not as civilized as we like to think we are.
FIFY… I think a good portion of the US, which is not drawn into politics is pretty civilizied… It’s the GOP which has proven itself totally craven
Mostly because the GOP knows it’s losing and all it can hope to do is make people miserable
Here’s why the plaintiffs think they’ll get a ruling from the court this time around—one way or the other. […]
Interesting synthesis, Ms. Kirkland. Thank you.
I suspect that the court will be able to craft a narrow ruling which lays out a clear test for when partisan gerrymandering has gone to far. Something to the effect if “IOKIYAR”
Article 1 section 5 begins, “Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of
its own Members…” I see no reason why the House couldn’t unilaterally standardize the drawing of Congressional districts, and disqualify elections whose districts aren’t up to snuff.
Other reason for the court to consider acting now: they don’t know how many state legislatures might turn in 2020. Sure, they’re gerrymandered all to hell, but in wave elections that can still be vulnerable.
So, once again, we will rely on John Roberts being the “swing vote”. I’m not overly optimistic, but he has done the right thing in the past. These cases appear to be open and shut examples of unlawful gerrymandering, but the “conservative wing” of the Court will surely vote the GOP party line.
I’m inclined to agree with you, I don’t hold out much hope that this Court will do the right thing.
Somehow I expect that Maryland will be forced to redraw its map to benefit Republicans but the NC map will be ruled a-okay. I’ve got no faith in American institutions any longer. None.
Good piece. This here is the challenge:
“We’ll be talking to [Chief Justice John] Roberts a lot as the new middle,” Riggs added.
Roberts is very hostile to judicial intervention on gerrymandering, because it’s a key Republican asset.
If Democrats are serious about ending the practice, they need to
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Vigorously gerrymander every district imaginable after 2020
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Wait for conservatives to challenge the gerrymanders
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Sit back and watch the Trump Court miraculously develop a new jurisprudence.
Thinking Robert’s is moderate in any way shape or form is a mistake. He dismantled the Civil Rights Act.
I sadly suspect you are exactly right.
I hope this is as good as it looks, but I can’t get any more cynical about a court that favors the fascistic moves of the GOP.
Friendly courts are a hallmark of fascism.
We PRIME members should start demanding copy editors be hired at TPM. The grammar, spelling, typos are getting ridiculous. It seems as if Josh is growing too fast or just refuses to spend the money on proofreaders.
And gave us Citizens United. And Hobby Lobby.
Could save a lot of time and money on these high-profile cases.
5-4 in favor of the Republicans.
We already know the outcome, no need to put effort into ripping up the Constitution to figure out a way to justify backing the Republicans.
I actually kep my promise to @pluckyinky and haven’t looked at anything since Friday. Just came by to see if anyone heard anything about the surgery.
Since the cases are consolidated, though, we don’t know exactly what “in favor of the republicans” will mean. Will it be a needle-threading opinion that makes NC ok but MD not, or will they sacrifice the MD republicans for the, um, greater good?