"A Florida judge has tossed the state’s congressional map, ordering two districts to be redrawn, in a move that may affect neighboring districts and strongly impact Republican influence, the New York Times reports.
In his scathing decision late Thursday, Judge Terry P. Lewis of the state’s 2nd Judicial Circuit demanded that two of Florida’s districts be redrawn: the 10th, represented by Republican Rep. Daniel Webster, and the 5th, represented by Democratic Rep. Corrine Brown.
Lewis blasted Republicans for making “a mockery” and taking advantage of Florida’s Fair Districts Amendments, passed in 2010.
“Republican political consultants or operatives did, in fact, conspire to manipulate and influence the redistricting process,” the judge wrote in his 41-page decision, according to Politico.
“Republican political consultants or operatives did, in fact, conspire to manipulate and influence the redistricting process,” the judge wrote in his 41-page decision, according to Politico.
“They made a mockery of the legislature’s proclaimed transparency and open process of redistricting by doing all of this in the shadow of that process, utilizing the access it gave them to the decisionmakers, but going to great lengths to conceal from the public their plan and their participation in it.”" [Source]
Your Honor, I could not agree more.
Finally, some politicians think it's cool to demonize poor people. Especially poor black people, because, unlike poor white people, they choose to be poor.
"On Thursday, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) held his fifth hearing on the War on Poverty, and for the first time he allowed a person actually living in poverty to testify. Tianna Gaines-Turner shared her personal experiences struggling to make ends meet and provide food for her three children who suffer from medical conditions along with her husband. She works as a seasonal employee with children for $10.88 an hour, while her husband works at a grocery store for $8.50.
But when Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) got the chance to ask questions of Gaines-Turner and the two other witnesses, he directed much of his attention toward calling into question whether she is dependent on government programs, whether she has tried to find more work, and if she is partisan. He gave a “theoretical example” in which the government would increase spending on government programs like food stamps and welfare by 500 percent and asked,
“They [people on the programs] would be out of poverty and that would be a good thing?” to which Gaines-Turner responded, “Yes, the programs work, yes it would be good to move them out of poverty.”
He followed up saying, “But the cycle of dependency would certainly still be there which you also don’t like… The cycle of dependency, you wouldn’t be independent.”
“I’m independent now on the program,” Gaines-Turner told him. “You’re independent on this?” Rokita asked.
“Yes, I consider myself to be very independent. I work just as hard as anybody in this room,” Gaines-Turner replied. “I’m very independent.”
“You’re independent, but you’re here testifying that you have to have these programs, you need these programs,” Rokita responded. [Source]
Ms. Gaines-Turner didn't have a chance. That politrickster couldn't wait to demonize her and make her a part of the problem. Why? Because he knew that his base would love every minute of it.
Your Honor, I could not agree more.
Finally, some politicians think it's cool to demonize poor people. Especially poor black people, because, unlike poor white people, they choose to be poor.
"On Thursday, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-WI) held his fifth hearing on the War on Poverty, and for the first time he allowed a person actually living in poverty to testify. Tianna Gaines-Turner shared her personal experiences struggling to make ends meet and provide food for her three children who suffer from medical conditions along with her husband. She works as a seasonal employee with children for $10.88 an hour, while her husband works at a grocery store for $8.50.
But when Rep. Todd Rokita (R-IN) got the chance to ask questions of Gaines-Turner and the two other witnesses, he directed much of his attention toward calling into question whether she is dependent on government programs, whether she has tried to find more work, and if she is partisan. He gave a “theoretical example” in which the government would increase spending on government programs like food stamps and welfare by 500 percent and asked,
“They [people on the programs] would be out of poverty and that would be a good thing?” to which Gaines-Turner responded, “Yes, the programs work, yes it would be good to move them out of poverty.”
He followed up saying, “But the cycle of dependency would certainly still be there which you also don’t like… The cycle of dependency, you wouldn’t be independent.”
“I’m independent now on the program,” Gaines-Turner told him. “You’re independent on this?” Rokita asked.
“Yes, I consider myself to be very independent. I work just as hard as anybody in this room,” Gaines-Turner replied. “I’m very independent.”
“You’re independent, but you’re here testifying that you have to have these programs, you need these programs,” Rokita responded. [Source]
Ms. Gaines-Turner didn't have a chance. That politrickster couldn't wait to demonize her and make her a part of the problem. Why? Because he knew that his base would love every minute of it.
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