I feel exactly the same way you do about gerrymandering, Daniel. But unfortunately Democrats can no longer live by the motto “we go high when they go low”. That’s too much like bringing a knife to a gun fight and we’re in this fight to save our lives as an American democracy. This is all very hard to swallow especially in the 250th year of our birth.
If Republicans would do it—and they would—then Democrats need to be willing to do it too. The whole “when they go low, we go high” approach has cost Democrats, and the country, decades of lost ground. It's time to stop fucking around.
In response to the current political competition between Republicans and Democrats, and the attacks on civil liberties, immigrant rights, and free and fair elections, I’ve donated money to Hakeem Jeffries’ initiative, Indivisible, SwingLeft, and Jasmine Clark’s campaign. And increased my monthly contribution to the ACLU.
Long Covid fatigue limits my ability to do more at this time. IF it goes away in time, I’ll probably do some phone-banking for the midterm elections.
I'm glad you are doing these, Daniel, and I agree with you about the need for Democratic states to fight back with their own gerrymandering efforts. But I do wonder if all of our states did that, and all the Republican states did that, how would the House of Representatives look? Do we have the potential to gain more seats from gerrymandering, overall, than they do? I know the blue states are more populous so potentially we would have more to gain, but they have more states governed by red state legislatures.
Luckily for you, you're in one of the most active districts in the country!! #pro-tip: Do whatever Eric Holder suggests, then send out our marching orders! 💙
Your take is totally right. I would advise that you keep saying what you also say in your piece- over and over- that Democrats recognize that the REAL SOLUTION is Not Gerrymandering but a mutual agreement to use independent nonpartisan councils that create fair and impartial districts. If Americans get sick enough of the gerrymandering and re-gerrymandering maybe they will get behind a movement to stop doing this partisan power grab-- gerrymandering all the time.
Another way Republicans might decide to give up on gerrymandering is if the Republicans get creamed in the midterms despite their last-ditch partisan re-gerrymanders that were intended to give them more seats. That could happen if they spread the jam too thin and lose seats instead of gaining them.
Our future Congressman is such a class act, even when talking about fighting against those who deserve no grace! So glad to have voted for you and donated to you (even during some rocky times during the campaign where you said things I, and a large amount of others, really disagreed with.) I love that you understand that there is a spot of normalness and common sense between being too extreme and pushing people away from your cause and being too moderate to the point that you get nothing done and people feel that you aren't fighting for them. In your sit-down with Shia Kapos, you said that you would support this redistricting of Illinois even if it meant losing your seat. Very mature and selfless. Even though you haven't won the general (yet), you are already one of my favorite politicians because it really feels like you care and understand. Beautifully written Substack post.
However, I want to ask, how can we get in contact with the campaign? I have tried to reach out recently and haven't received any response.
Welcome! As a SE Evanston resident, I’m eagerly looking forward to your voice here. We have relied on the power of being a majority coalition against the extremists. But if that bedrock to democracy is no longer an advantage, how do we defeat the oppressors and build safeguards against this tyranny?
I totally agree.
Gerrymander the heck out of it. We will solve that problem when we have the power to do so, like the Supreme Court. Enough.
First, congratulations on winning! Secondly I agree with you, no more high road vs low road!
I feel exactly the same way you do about gerrymandering, Daniel. But unfortunately Democrats can no longer live by the motto “we go high when they go low”. That’s too much like bringing a knife to a gun fight and we’re in this fight to save our lives as an American democracy. This is all very hard to swallow especially in the 250th year of our birth.
If Republicans would do it—and they would—then Democrats need to be willing to do it too. The whole “when they go low, we go high” approach has cost Democrats, and the country, decades of lost ground. It's time to stop fucking around.
In response to the current political competition between Republicans and Democrats, and the attacks on civil liberties, immigrant rights, and free and fair elections, I’ve donated money to Hakeem Jeffries’ initiative, Indivisible, SwingLeft, and Jasmine Clark’s campaign. And increased my monthly contribution to the ACLU.
Long Covid fatigue limits my ability to do more at this time. IF it goes away in time, I’ll probably do some phone-banking for the midterm elections.
I'm glad you are doing these, Daniel, and I agree with you about the need for Democratic states to fight back with their own gerrymandering efforts. But I do wonder if all of our states did that, and all the Republican states did that, how would the House of Representatives look? Do we have the potential to gain more seats from gerrymandering, overall, than they do? I know the blue states are more populous so potentially we would have more to gain, but they have more states governed by red state legislatures.
Luckily for you, you're in one of the most active districts in the country!! #pro-tip: Do whatever Eric Holder suggests, then send out our marching orders! 💙
As the Bible says, an eye for an eye, and we turned the other cheek enough.
Daniel,
Your take is totally right. I would advise that you keep saying what you also say in your piece- over and over- that Democrats recognize that the REAL SOLUTION is Not Gerrymandering but a mutual agreement to use independent nonpartisan councils that create fair and impartial districts. If Americans get sick enough of the gerrymandering and re-gerrymandering maybe they will get behind a movement to stop doing this partisan power grab-- gerrymandering all the time.
Another way Republicans might decide to give up on gerrymandering is if the Republicans get creamed in the midterms despite their last-ditch partisan re-gerrymanders that were intended to give them more seats. That could happen if they spread the jam too thin and lose seats instead of gaining them.
Our future Congressman is such a class act, even when talking about fighting against those who deserve no grace! So glad to have voted for you and donated to you (even during some rocky times during the campaign where you said things I, and a large amount of others, really disagreed with.) I love that you understand that there is a spot of normalness and common sense between being too extreme and pushing people away from your cause and being too moderate to the point that you get nothing done and people feel that you aren't fighting for them. In your sit-down with Shia Kapos, you said that you would support this redistricting of Illinois even if it meant losing your seat. Very mature and selfless. Even though you haven't won the general (yet), you are already one of my favorite politicians because it really feels like you care and understand. Beautifully written Substack post.
However, I want to ask, how can we get in contact with the campaign? I have tried to reach out recently and haven't received any response.
Welcome! As a SE Evanston resident, I’m eagerly looking forward to your voice here. We have relied on the power of being a majority coalition against the extremists. But if that bedrock to democracy is no longer an advantage, how do we defeat the oppressors and build safeguards against this tyranny?
Agree with your sentiments, Daniel! Very well thought out article