I don't know where I stand on the Texas redistricting plan that has democrats in the Texas state legislature hiding out in Oklahoma. However, I think what the democrats have done is nuts. I was particularly struck by one statement issued by U.S. Representative Tom DeLay about the issue. In support of the republicans' redistricting plan, he says:

Texans deserve representation that reflects their values and beliefs. Fifty-six percent of Texas voters cast their vote for a Republican congressional candidate last fall, yet Texas sends more Democrats than Republicans to Congress. We're trying to change that.

First of all (and assuming DeLay's statistics are accurate), I find it amazing that the districting plan in place frustrates the popular vote that significantly. (Strategically, however, you will notice that I do not press this point after November 2000). It seems to me that what Texans really need, at least in their state legislature, is representation - period. If it relfected their values and beliefs, I guess that would be a plus. By running and hiding in Oklahoma - outside of the jurisdiction of Texas authorities - the democrats have shirked a responsibility they accepted when they took office.

State Representative Barry Tilford tried to compare it to filibustering - or some other technique of frustrating the majority - when he said:

We're fighting for our constituents with the only tool we have left, which was to use the rules of the House to break a quorum.

How on earth is not showing up at work to get your way and, in fact, leaving the jurisdiction you've sworn to represent a "rule of the House"? This "tool" did not come from the toolbox. Can you imagine what would happen to a group of U.S. Senators or Representatives who hid out in Canada to prevent a quorum from voting on a piece of legislation they didn't like? Thank goodness these people are subject to the political process. I don't think this will sit well in Texas. In fact, the republicans may not need the redistricting plan after this stunt.
- posted by Anonymous @ 9:06 AM