Supreme Court ruling bodes well for redistricting decision

[theivoryqueen]

(Not to jinx it, but I have a good feeling about this.)

Looks like the Supremes think the system is corrupt (irony!)and are willing to undertake what some call drastic measures to clean house. I hope that this newly-expressed integrity (disingenuous as it seems) will extend to reversing trends in redistricting: GOP bully-pulpit power grabs. Fingahs crossed.....

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By David Von Drehle
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, December 11, 2003; Page A01

....the prevailing justices -- with Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in the decisive role, as she is so often -- cast a deeply disgusted eye on the entire political process, finding "corruption, and in particular the appearance of corruption" almost everywhere they looked. Even efforts by political parties to register voters, identify supporters and urge them to the polls -- activities once extolled in civics classes -- were seen as opportunities for corruption if large donors were allowed to pay for such projects as a way of currying favor with elected officials.

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http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A54524-2003Dec10.html

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. I hope they do what's best for

the people.

[theivoryqueen]

2. looks like they actually might.... this time.

I'm thinking they never imagined the blatant desire for power the GOP would exhibit after being "installed" ( as a result of their ruling) and I think the realization that all branches of the government are under attack now by this GOP regime has scared them into stepping in to prevent further erosion of judicial powers. That's my hope!

[cigarstore]

3. Hey fellow Greenie!

[GreenPartyVoter]

5. Howdy ho, neighbor

:hi:

[pmbryant]

4. So it all comes down to Sandra Day O'Connor

One person apparently has the power to decide whether to help us reform the corrupt re-districting system or ensure it remains the same.

A scary, yet still hopeful (given her decision on McCain-Feingold), thought.

:scared: O8)

--Peter

[GreenPartyVoter]

6. Wish the SCOTUS

had come down on the hard money as well as the soft. Right now the GOP actually has an edge on progressives because they tend to get the most hard money contributions.

"WASHINGTON - December 10 - While upholding restrictions on soft money and political advertising, the Supreme Court's failure today to strike down McCain-Feingold's radical increases in hard money contribution limits ensures that wealthy donors will continue to strongly influence who runs for office and who wins elections in the United States, according to the organizational plaintiffs in the Adams v. FEC case that challenged these increases."

http://www.commondreams.org/news2003/1210-03.htm

[MoonRiver]

7. I think O'Connor has been deeply shamed by Selection 2000 fallout

She's trying to clean up her corrupt record. Rehnquist, Scalia, and his toady Thomas are obviously happy wallowing in their ethical cess pool.