Wisconsin governor goes bonkers

[Kalle]

from both sides

Where you prove you’re a troll.

[IainC]

Where you prove you’re a troll.

The prosecution would like to introduce exhibits 1 through 1287.

[madkevin]

Can someone throw up an example of those damn “libruls” doing the same?

Don’t hold your breath. Brett and his ilk are already convinced that “both sides” do these things all the time; they don’t need proof when they have faith.

[rhinohelix]

Can someone throw up an example of those damn “libruls” doing the same? You know, I figure that’s the path the argument is going to take… again.

Dems Admit Rep. John Adler Planted Fake Tea Party Candidate

And then back in Wisconsin in 2010 as well:

GOP, Dems field fake candidates

Last year, Republicans were outraged when Democrats ran a sham Republican against state Rep. Bob Ziegelbauer, of Manitowoc, a Democrat who switched to become an Independent. Republican Party Executive Director Mark Jefferson called it a “nasty, cynical ploy” organized by unions and the Democratic Party.

Recognizing the similarity between what Democrats did in 2010 and what Republicans are doing in 2011, Zaug noted, “Similar language came out of the Democratic Party when we put up these protest candidates.”

[Brettmcd]

What rhinohelix posted, also I dont see this as any different then what both sides do in open primaries when they cross party lines to try and get the least electable person to win the primary. Its all dirty politics and I dont support any of it, but both sides engage in this BS.

[wahoo]

I remember the Florida Tea Party which in 2010 ran 3rd party candidates trying to split conservatives votes. Many of the Florida Tea Party were Dems and some were paid consultants to Dem Congressmen.

[jsmccauley]

Leaving political affiliations aside, I found out today that the proposed redistricting of Wisconsin would split the town of 20,000 that I live in between two different state senate/assembly districts, none of which are the district the town is currently in. Am I wrong to be concerned with this dilution of my town’s population into different districts?

My line of thinking is that with the splitting of the population into different voter bases, politicians will be far less likely to pay attention to this community, because it will make less difference in the outcomes of elections, and as a result consideration by the state government regarding the community’s needs will be diminished.

So, I’m frustrated with this gerrymandering. It’s not a large community to begin with, and this cannot help with the community’s visibility with the state government.

Also, politicians seem to be stupid jerks.

[Jason_Levine]

Am I wrong to be concerned with this dilution of my town’s population into different districts?

My line of thinking is that with the splitting of the population into different voter bases, politicians will be far less likely to pay attention to this community, because it will make less difference in the outcomes of elections, and as a result consideration by the state government regarding the community’s needs will be diminished.

So, I’m frustrated with this gerrymandering. It’s not a large community to begin with, and this cannot help with the community’s visibility with the state government.

No, you’re not wrong to be concerned, and, yes, they don’t give a damn about your community. Gerrymandering is all about control, not about the best interests of the electorate.

Also, politicians seem to be stupid jerks.

A long time ago a wise person said that “senator” is a synonym for “idiot.”

[ShivaX]

You’d think after nearly 200 years of people being pissed about it, something would’ve been done about Gerrymandering, but you’d be wrong.

[Brettmcd]

You’d think after nearly 200 years of people being pissed about it, something would’ve been done about Gerrymandering, but you’d be wrong.

It something both sides use when they happen to be the ones in power when redistricting comes around, so each side wants to have it as a weapon to use when they are able to. The general public hates it, but I still dont see it changing.

[ShivaX]

It something both sides use when they happen to be the ones in power when redistricting comes around, so each side wants to have it as a weapon to use when they are able to. The general public hates it, but I still dont see it changing.

Oh, no doubt. Politicians wont give up the ability to fix the game for their side and the general public is too lazy to call them on it anymore.

[Jason_Levine]

Actually, a few of the highest population states: California, Texas and Florida have abolished gerrymandering with non-partisan redisticting commissions, at least for Congressional seats. In California it was the result (as usual in that state) of a ballot initiative. In Texas it came about after the first great Democratic Exodus of state lawmakers, when Tom Delay’s Republican disciples tried to gerrymander that state. Not sure how it became law in Florida.

Of course this is very hard to bring about in most states, since the entrenched office holders regard gerrymandering as one their best weapons for maintaining power.

[jsmccauley]

Actually, a few of the highest population states: California, Texas and Florida have abolished gerrymandering with non-partisan redisticting commissions, at least for Congressional seats. In California it was the result (as usual in that state) of a ballot initiative. In Texas it came about after the first great Democratic Exodus of state lawmakers, when Tom Delay’s Republican disciples tried to gerrymander that state. Not sure how it became law in Florida.

Of course this is very hard to bring about in most states, since the entrenched office holders regard gerrymandering as one their best weapons for maintaining power.

It doesn’t seem that Wisconsin voters have any ballot initiatives available, and if true that makes me a somewhat disgruntled. I’d like a little more democracy introduced into my democratic republic.

[Mark_Asher]

Actually, a few of the highest population states: California, Texas and Florida have abolished gerrymandering with non-partisan redisticting commissions, at least for Congressional seats. In California it was the result (as usual in that state) of a ballot initiative. In Texas it came about after the first great Democratic Exodus of state lawmakers, when Tom Delay’s Republican disciples tried to gerrymander that state. Not sure how it became law in Florida.

Of course this is very hard to bring about in most states, since the entrenched office holders regard gerrymandering as one their best weapons for maintaining power.

Kind of like campaign finance reform. The parties in power benefit the most from lobbyists and don’t want to enact legislation to reform the lobbying process.

[Adam_Altmann]

Dems won the first of the nine recall elections by just about double the votes.

The next batch is on August 9th, I believe, where the Republicans will have to fend off the Democrats.

[Dan_Theman]

A small bit of justice. Here’s hoping the trend continues.

[Chris_Gwinn]

At this point, I think he must be assuming he’ll be recalled and has just decided to poke beehives.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/07/25/277592/walker-closes-dmvs/

[Ben_Sones]

One Democratic lawmaker said Friday it appeared the decisions were based on politics, with the department targeting offices for closure in Democratic areas and expanding hours for those in Republican districts.

Subtle!

[Jason_Townsend]

Subtle!

They’re Republicans. Remember the Scott Walker tapes? To them this is probably the height of cunning.

[ShivaX]

At this point, I think he must be assuming he’ll be recalled and has just decided to poke beehives.

http://thinkprogress.org/justice/2011/07/25/277592/walker-closes-dmvs/

Sure we might disenfranchise a few thousand people, but at least we’re stopping voter fraud!

a recent study by the Brennan Center for Justice found that only 44 one-millionths of one percent of votes are cast by people who commit voter fraud

Oops.