It has happened. We’ve been waiting for this, after the whole Texas debacle. Another state is following in their footsteps. The Party of Trump has spoken, and another state has answered. This is starting to get interesting. Democrats, you’d best be ready to push back. From Democracy Docket:
Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe (R) reinforced GOP power grabs sweeping the country, calling a special legislative session Friday to redraw congressional districts and weaken the ability of voters to pass laws through ballot initiatives. For the session set to begin Sept. 3, Kehoe made clear he expects lawmakers to move quickly to pass what he calls the “Missouri First Map” and rewrite the state’s initiative petition process.
Initiative petition process. Remember that. It’s important. Okay, so yes, another state is doing what their lord and master tells them to do. We already know there is a blue state ready to counter them. But still, more blatant gerrymandering irks me. These people don’t have the will to resist. They just tug their forelocks and do what they’re told. Why can’t they see themselves from the outside?
At the heart of Kehoe’s plan is the Missouri First Map, which he claims is “more compact” and “splits fewer counties and municipalities than the current map.” But democracy advocates quickly noted the talking points used to hide the real objective to entrench GOP control by reshaping districts and neutralizing non-GOP voters.
So yes, I call bullshizzle, just like I did with Texas. I don’t know if Missouri government Democrats have enough nerve to push back or not. But either way, the precedent has been set and is being followed. The red states are trying to turn it into law. This is another bad sign. It makes one wonder if this is going to happen in every state this year.
The governor also unveiled sweeping changes to initiative petition rules — the process Missouri voters have repeatedly used to pass progressive measures rejected by the GOP, including Medicaid expansion and marijuana legalization. Among other extreme provisions, ballot measures would only pass if they won a statewide majority and a majority in each congressional district.
Bloody hell. This is flat-out helping with Trump’s dream of no more voting. Take the power from the people. Take away the democracy and make it a dictatorship where people are oppressed and attacked every time they dare to dissent. Stomp all over the people because they don’t matter anymore. They’re not important. They’re only there to flatter Trump and do what he says. Our country is already sliding that way. Why don’t people see it? Why can’t we stop this? We need to use the power of the people before it’s too late, and we are skating closer and closer to falling off the edge. We need to use it *now*.
Friends, I know everybody begs you for money. I promise you that of all of the outlets bugging you for spare change, we are the smallest and the hardest working. We’re a bunch of old, disabled people, except one writer in his mid-50s. But the rest of us are in our sixties and seventies, and this is a labor of love. All we’re asking for is the ability to continue our quest to tell the truth about Trump and ensure democracy survives. If you can help, please do. Thanks. Ursula
These things may not go the way the R’s want them to. After Texas approved their new maps, someone pointed out that besides creating 5 new safely red districts, they weakened their hold on a number of others. The law of unintended consequences. Remember this is the gang that can’t shoot straight.
Very good point. Maybe they can shoot just straight enough to hit their foot.