August 13, 2004

More Political Shenanigans in Illinois

Does ANYONE care about elections anymore? I mean even after Florida 2000 we've done a shoddy job of making sure ever voter's vote counts. Many Illinois Republicans probably feel betrayed by the three-ring circus staged by their party to select a US Senate Candidate. The Texas Republicans, led by US House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, carried out one of the most egregious gerrymanders in American history. Congressman Alexander of Louisiana switched parties at almost literally the last minute in order to avoid a serious electoral challenge in November. And now Democratic Congressman Bill Lipinski of Illinois is leaving the ticket months after his state's primary so that his seat in Congress can be filled by his son Dan. I've long loathed Bill Lipinski. He's exactly the sort of person we need out of Congress: status-quo oriented, interested in little more than back-room deals and funneling the country's money into his district. So I'm glad he'll be leaving. And if nothing else, his son is supposedly an extremely capable guy (he was one of the hottest properties on the political science job market when he got his Ph.D.). But if would be terribly refreshing if politicians actually let voters decide elections instead of continually manipulating the rules and the lines to keep themselves and their allies in power.

Posted by armand at August 13, 2004 10:50 AM | TrackBack | Posted to Politics


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