Redistricting is the Gerrymandering by which Congress manipulates the voting system enabling the legislators to further enhance their chances of making a career out of their elected position.

HISTORY
Article 1, Section 2 of the United States Constitution requires a census be taken every 10 years to determine the number of members in the House of Representatives to represent the population according to the states where they live. The first census was taken in 1790, and it is believed representation has been based on census ever since. Except, that is, when Congress started Gerrymandering the system to their benefit in 1812. The term comes from then Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry, a member of the Democratic-Republican Party. The State legislators redrew the districts to favor Governor Gerry, ensuring his reelection.

NUMBER OF REPRESENTATIVES
The drawing of districts is accomplished by each state, and there are a variety of ways it is accomplished. Until 1967, some states had single-member districts, and some had multi-member districts to ensure citizens of each major party were adequately represented. But in 1967, Congress further protected their party representation by passing a law requiring congressional districts be single-member. Gerrymandering and redistricting has spread like wildfire ever since. When a population grows in any area, the legislators find out how the majority of citizens in the district voted and play monopoly with the districts, moving lines and trading areas so they can capture the most votes in their individual districts and remain in office. 

SOLUTION
Demand Congress stop Gerrymandering and redistricting. Right now each state is entitled to a fixed number of representatives according to population. It should not matter where they live, so there is no real need to split a state into districts. If a state, such as California, has 53 representatives, then the voters of California should be allowed to vote for all 53 house seats, because all 53 have the responsibility to represent all the people of the state, not just a few who live in a certain neighborhood. This system would allow voters to have control over who their representatives are, and would preclude the legislators from rigging the game in their favor. Such a system would also void the Electoral College (which was almost done in 1968). We are the only country in the world, save maybe two, with such a complex system that denies its people the right to choose their own president. Congress should remember, we are a  government of the people, by the people, and for the people.

Semper Fi,
Dick 

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