Comments on: Redistricting: Why Utah ought to carve up S.L.

By: Dean Nyffeler

Dean Nyffeler — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 19:36:00 +0000

While your carving up SLC, i would suggest that we put a buffer around the Olympus wilderness area. The east benchers seem to want to put buffers around Dinosaur Monuments, Arches, and Canyon Lands and every WSA. What’s good for the hinterlands should be good for lemming land.

By: John Harrison

John Harrison — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 20:55:00 +0000

Paul, again, thank you for being upfront about what you want accomplished. It is indeed sad, even pathetic, that our legislature is unable to admit to what you’ve made so clear here.

By: Chunk

Chunk — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 00:31:00 +0000

Paul- You’re a jerk

By: Paul Mero

Paul Mero — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:59:00 +0000

Of course not. But, evidently, redistricting is only for people you agree with.

By: Paul Mero

Paul Mero — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:57:00 +0000

Thanks, Ross. “The process to give to those with whom we disagree a shot at electing like-minded individuals to government” is advocacy and education, not resdistricting, in my opinion. Your opinion implies that the only real ”voices” are those elected officials agree with — which is what I’ve argued from the outset: some people seem to think that “represetnation” means elected officials who agree with you.

I oppose islands of partisanship within the state. I get that this concept exists naturally nationally. But there’s no need for them in this state. Let the rural argue with the urban as long as the rural will be forced to pay for the benefits in urban areas, and vice-versa.

Again, it’s hard for critics to argue against a predominantly conservative map when they want to preserve predominantly liberal islands of partisanship. All that really says to me is that critics just want what they want…and that’s a point I’ve been making.

I would think progressives would want to spread their influence in suburban and rural areas? So why not mix urban and rural voters. Have at it!! Argue with each other!! There’s a nice democratic balance to that, isn’t there?

By: Paul Mero

Paul Mero — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:43:00 +0000

I don’t see how anyone is disenfranchised (perhaps you might look up the deifintion of THAT word?). Everyone has a vote who is legally allowed to vote. To “dilute” is not to disenfranchise…it is to avoid what groups like Fair Boundaries are trying to do in creating islands of partisanship. I happen to think it’s a good idea to, say, have rural votes mix with urban votes…it tends to moderate influences.

You can cite any dictionary you want about the definition of gerrymandering…the only “dictionaries” that matter in this case are in the court rooms of America — and not one of the plans you’d oppose (I can only speculate) would be ruled as gerrymandering, at least based on legal precedent.

But I see how you and others here think…when you don’t get your way = gerrymandering…and when I make an argument that’s mine, not yours = I’m obfuscating.

The sad fact for you and yours is that I’m probably the only conservative in the state willing to even discuss these things with you.

By: Paul Mero

Paul Mero — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 18:28:00 +0000

And, my friend, how’s that theory working for you and other Utah progressives so far? Seems to me we’re only having this argument because your side is so far out of power and influence in Utah that the other side doesn’t even have to ask you your opinion.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:43:00 +0000

Here’s a Fox 13 news story about this post…

http://www.fox13now.com/news/local/kstu-paul-mero-blog-nuclear-blog-highlights-politics-behind-utahs-redistricting-talks-20111013,0,7852784.story

By: Tylerknowsyou

Tylerknowsyou — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 03:40:00 +0000

What an idiot! Haha I’ve never heard such a ridiculous idea. Typical Mormon conservative idiots. I live downtown , I attended the university, and I’m a liberal thinker . Heres my thought regarding your sight. Welcome to the future idiots. Get used to it, old conservatives like yourself need a time machine to go back to the dark ages. You’ve outlasted your usefulness to society. The world is a different place, and morons like your self are extinct. Adapt or become null and void doofus. Let’s split up the districts because we don’t like how the game is being played. Crybabies conservatives.

By: John Harrison

John Harrison — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:08:00 +0000

Paul, sadly your response is unresponsive to all of my points other than the judgement call over what is gerrymandering. I think you’ve laid out a very plain case for how to disenfranchise a portion of the population that you think has harmful ideas and why you want it done. As you say, gerrymandering is in the eye of the beholder, but in this case the argument you’ve laid out for what you think should be done is pretty much the definition of gerrymandering:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymandering

Kudos to you for being forthright in what you want done. At least the terms of the debate are now clear.