I’m annoyed. I’m annoyed at some of tonight’s speakers, including those from the ACLU and the League Of Women Voters. Even though…we are members of the Delaware Chapter of the ACLU.
Virtually all of tonight’s hearing focused on a few districts in Sussex County. Three speakers complained that the beachfront community of Slaughter Beach was being moved from District 18 (Wilson) to District 16 (Bonini). The problem is that the speakers disagreed on where Slaughter Beach should be located. Two of them argued that it should be put back into SD 18. The other speaker argued that, because it’s a beachfront community, and would be the only beachfront community not in a Sussex County district, it should be added to SD 6. Fair enough. And, if I were to make any change, that would seem to be the one that makes the most sense. Why? Because SD 18 also goes into Kent County, more in Kent County this time than previously. Not to mention, SD 18 has no coastal area whatsoever. Having said that, I can totally understand why nobody, nobody residing in Slaughter Beach would ever want to be in Colin Bonini’s district.
I’ve become annoyed after hearing the so-called open government groups testify. The League Of Women Voters’ speaker said that they, or more accurately, their ‘non-partisan working group’ had introduced their maps today. Uh, a little late, don’tchathink? I’ve grown tired of hearing about so-called ‘edge redistricting’. Especially when the speaker from the ACLU did not specify who he was calling out, but argued that incumbents’ addresses should not be considered. Bullshit. Not only is it not practical, but, and this may come as a shock to you and the ACLU, many voters like their incumbents and would like to vote for them. Whether these ‘good government’ groups believe it or not, you cannot separate the political from the process. For all their talk about ‘independent commissions’, many states that have adopted them have found themselves in gridlock when an even number of participants from both major parties are involved. Not to mention, the D’s control the process. Why the F should they unilaterally surrender that power in a blue state?
I’m (putting on my body armor) annoyed at complaints from some in the Sussex LGBTQ community who testified that their power is ‘diluted’ under the new maps. This, despite the fact that a huge, perhaps, decisive, LGBTQ community resides in the newly-drawn 6th SD. Different speakers argued that the district should be expanded to take in other blocks of LGBTQ residents who are not currently in the district, specifically in what would become the SW boundary of the district. I disagree. The 6th is compact and keeps like-minded communities together. One guy who posts drivel here basically said (and I’m paraphrasing and exaggerating) that pretty much every LGBTQ supporter in Sussex should be drawn into the 6th. One speaker said that an LGBTQ supporter she knows drives into Lewes for groceries, so she should be included. I think that the community has been empowered by the drawing of that district, and I think that having pockets of LGBTQ voters in other districts is a plus, not a minus. Except, unless–some of those making the arguments wanted to run in the 6th. Say-y-y, waitaminnit (checks notes), 3 of the four speakers who raised the issue are–former candidates. Coincidence, I’m sure.
I, uh, think I’ll head away from the keyboard for awhile. I will await the figurative slings and arrows headed my way.