Gerrymandering is contorting democracy
Our state legislature is remapping Tennessee’s congressional districts. Republicans may cement their almost complete state rule by gerrymandering the only presently held Democratic district in Memphis.
In 2022 Republicans did the same thing, splitting Nashville into three rural districts to eliminate a Democratic-held seat. Now, none of the Republican congressmen who represent Nashville even have an office in the city.
These efforts are Trump’s idea to add Republican seats to the House. Texas, Florida, Ohio and others have redrawn maps to add Republicans. Democrats responded by adding seats in California and Virginia. Several other states are following suit, the largest surge in redistricting since the 1880s.
It is a political arms race that victimizes voters. Dividing us, not uniting us. Providing us with fewer choices and less appealing candidates. Making our elections less of a decision and more of a rubber stamp.
Gerrymandering (which Google defines as “the deliberate manipulation of election boundaries to give an unfair advantage”) has been around for ages. But its use is more toxic and divisive. Districts are increasingly twisted, contorted and perverted for political gain. As a result, our democracy has become more twisted, contorted and perverted. Incumbents are protected, opposition is stifled, popular will is stymied. It has always been wrong. It still is.
Please tell your representatives that you know the difference, even if they do not.
Gregg Sullivan
Signal Mountain
Criminals, defense attorneys are similar
Tennessee lawmakers pass a bill expanding when deadly force can be used on private property; defense attorney Robin Flores says the bill would change long-standing Tennessee law.
“I don’t see anything good coming out of this,” Flores says. “Statutory provision sets out a clear legal barrier that you can’t use deadly force to simply protect property. That goes back almost 100 years.”
Robin Flores and all defense attorneys profit from criminal activity by being paid to prevent the justice system from protecting innocent victims by serving up just punishment for criminals. Defense attorneys are 100% — for personal greed — financially committed to making certain criminals are not justly punished.
Defense attorneys take your money and property to protect you from the justice system.
I am 72 years old. I am certain shaking my walker at a criminal and telling them to stop will never protect me from injury at the hands of a criminal or drug addict.
Criminal attorneys and criminals — birds of a feather flock together.
Richard Moore Sr.
Cleveland
Reader is trying to stop newspaper spam
Why can a person not stop the unwanted spam from this publication? I have hit the unsubscribe button forever! Nor do you have anyone to complain to and get it stopped. This is why you are no longer a newspaper. It died when your attitude to your subscribers died.
John Russell
Ooltewah
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