Yes! The hero of the re-making of the Michigan legislature is a young woman named Katie Fahey (I hope I spelled that right) who, after the trump victory in 2016, organized Voters Not Politicians, got a redistricting proposal on the ballot and voted in, and defined a process for citizen selection of redistricting maps that was carried o…
Yes! The hero of the re-making of the Michigan legislature is a young woman named Katie Fahey (I hope I spelled that right) who, after the trump victory in 2016, organized Voters Not Politicians, got a redistricting proposal on the ballot and voted in, and defined a process for citizen selection of redistricting maps that was carried out with public input and transparency during the past year -and look at the effect, we now have a democratic legislature for the first time in 40 years!
Thank you! She's pretty inspiring, Miriam and Bryan! Found Guardian article about her and now thepeople.org looks good. Gotta see the documentary Slay the Dragon...
Suz-an - We did it in Colorado, also. First, in 2018, there were two ballot measures to amend the state constitution to insure that electoral district maps would be determined by two independent, NON-POLITICIAN, citizen commissions - one for the state legislative districts and one for Congressional districts. Every detail of how these commissions will be selected and function is spelled out in the state constitution.
Once the amendments passed, our state was ready to act to establish the commissions as soon as the 2020 census was completed. Each commission was made up of 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 4 unaffiliated members. Applicants had to have been affiliated with their political party or unaffiliated for at least 5 years.
If you want to change the process in your state, you might start by getting in touch with your local League of Women Voters chapter.
Yes, but, I doubt Fahey would successful down in Texas. Mixing religion and politics down there has made being Republican essentially equivalent to believing in Jesus.
And, not "believing in Jesus", which is hard to figure out what that means anyway, will, as we both know, send us to hell independent of our support for his message. Now, since were are all raised to feel great fear when the mention of hell comes up, we know that being Republican is the only way to go.
The confusion in folks minds down there between "believing in Jesus" and "being Republican" is very, very real. Those preachers down there in those huge churches selling that prosperity gospel routinely link Jesus and being Republican as if they are the same thing.
People, not having read the New Testament themselves, where Jesus says that a rich man's likelihood of being admitted into Heaven is the same probability as a camel going through the eye of a needle?? They have not heard that in those prosperity gospel sermons.
Thank you Mike S & Jeri. It has been a long, long time since I have been in any temple, but, as I recall, the Carpenter from Nazareth threw out not only the money changers but, also those who sold the dove.
And Florida! Look at what mega-authoritarian DeSanctimonius did gerrymandering the most Black North part of the state by himself, with the complete approval of the Republican legislature. No way to get your kind of state constitutional amendments here. Living here gets more terrifying by the day. He's living his dream and I don't know how we'll ever get out of this mess in this ruby-red state.
The entire landscape of Florida was created by several million years of hurricanes, which are becoming more frequent and violent. After a few more 150mph-wind lawnmowers cross the state, perhaps more than one a summer, Floridians are going to need all the goodwill they can find. How that will shape their politics, I've no idea.
The governor sure changed his tune after Ian did so much damage all over the state (not just Fort Myers) and we needed federal help...and help from the immigrants who come in to help clean up and rebuild after climate disasters. For many years, I've always said that I want a house on Casey Key and enough money to rebuild after a hurricane blows it away. Now it looks more likely that the Key might not be there to build on since storms are getting more destructive every year. Nature wins every time and rebuilding in these zones seems a more and more ridiculous idea. We have to learn to adapt, not make the same mistakes over and over in the face of what IS.
That is very similar to what was done in Michigan. Very smart lawyers wrote the ballot initiative, which became part of the state constitution. We had 5 dems, 5 republicans and 5 independents on the committee, self-defined, and we got 10,000 applications to serve on the committee, I believe. Or perhaps that was the goal. They consulted with other states that had done similar things. unfortunately, not all states permit a ballot initiative...
"On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 2.[8]
At the election night party in Detroit, Fahey said, "The thing we proved tonight is that we are our own saviors. We the people can save ourselves."[7]"
I had no idea. Your post, Mirium, is one reason I keep reading these comments.
Listen to Tim Miller’s interview with Mallory McMorrow (D-MI) this past week on The Bulwark for a deeper look at the MI trifecta and what it will mean, not to mention how to go about making your state government work for you.
Yes! The hero of the re-making of the Michigan legislature is a young woman named Katie Fahey (I hope I spelled that right) who, after the trump victory in 2016, organized Voters Not Politicians, got a redistricting proposal on the ballot and voted in, and defined a process for citizen selection of redistricting maps that was carried out with public input and transparency during the past year -and look at the effect, we now have a democratic legislature for the first time in 40 years!
Got that right, KATIE FAHEY ... Director of The People.
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/
Thank you! She's pretty inspiring, Miriam and Bryan! Found Guardian article about her and now thepeople.org looks good. Gotta see the documentary Slay the Dragon...
What happened in Michigan is astounding. It's a model for what we need to do around the country. And Whitmer 2024?
Do it like we Did it in Michigan!!
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/
so how do we all figure out how to do that the way they did it?
inquiring minds really wanna know!!
lots of other efforts in different states have failed at various stages.
Michiganders DID it for REALZ!!!!
Suz-an - We did it in Colorado, also. First, in 2018, there were two ballot measures to amend the state constitution to insure that electoral district maps would be determined by two independent, NON-POLITICIAN, citizen commissions - one for the state legislative districts and one for Congressional districts. Every detail of how these commissions will be selected and function is spelled out in the state constitution.
Once the amendments passed, our state was ready to act to establish the commissions as soon as the 2020 census was completed. Each commission was made up of 4 Democrats, 4 Republicans and 4 unaffiliated members. Applicants had to have been affiliated with their political party or unaffiliated for at least 5 years.
If you want to change the process in your state, you might start by getting in touch with your local League of Women Voters chapter.
Texas needs this yesterday
Jeri,
Yes, but, I doubt Fahey would successful down in Texas. Mixing religion and politics down there has made being Republican essentially equivalent to believing in Jesus.
And, not "believing in Jesus", which is hard to figure out what that means anyway, will, as we both know, send us to hell independent of our support for his message. Now, since were are all raised to feel great fear when the mention of hell comes up, we know that being Republican is the only way to go.
The confusion in folks minds down there between "believing in Jesus" and "being Republican" is very, very real. Those preachers down there in those huge churches selling that prosperity gospel routinely link Jesus and being Republican as if they are the same thing.
People, not having read the New Testament themselves, where Jesus says that a rich man's likelihood of being admitted into Heaven is the same probability as a camel going through the eye of a needle?? They have not heard that in those prosperity gospel sermons.
Thank you Mike S & Jeri. It has been a long, long time since I have been in any temple, but, as I recall, the Carpenter from Nazareth threw out not only the money changers but, also those who sold the dove.
Bryan,
Yes, unfortunately for said Carpenter, not currying favor with the billionaires of his time?
Did not quite work out so well.
And Florida! Look at what mega-authoritarian DeSanctimonius did gerrymandering the most Black North part of the state by himself, with the complete approval of the Republican legislature. No way to get your kind of state constitutional amendments here. Living here gets more terrifying by the day. He's living his dream and I don't know how we'll ever get out of this mess in this ruby-red state.
The entire landscape of Florida was created by several million years of hurricanes, which are becoming more frequent and violent. After a few more 150mph-wind lawnmowers cross the state, perhaps more than one a summer, Floridians are going to need all the goodwill they can find. How that will shape their politics, I've no idea.
The governor sure changed his tune after Ian did so much damage all over the state (not just Fort Myers) and we needed federal help...and help from the immigrants who come in to help clean up and rebuild after climate disasters. For many years, I've always said that I want a house on Casey Key and enough money to rebuild after a hurricane blows it away. Now it looks more likely that the Key might not be there to build on since storms are getting more destructive every year. Nature wins every time and rebuilding in these zones seems a more and more ridiculous idea. We have to learn to adapt, not make the same mistakes over and over in the face of what IS.
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/
That is very similar to what was done in Michigan. Very smart lawyers wrote the ballot initiative, which became part of the state constitution. We had 5 dems, 5 republicans and 5 independents on the committee, self-defined, and we got 10,000 applications to serve on the committee, I believe. Or perhaps that was the goal. They consulted with other states that had done similar things. unfortunately, not all states permit a ballot initiative...
They had a non-partison council of citizens draw the legislature districts.
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/
mps: Post it again. Keep posting.
Will DO!! Thanks.
Start here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Fahey
Do it like we Did it in Michigan!
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/
Do it like they Did it in Michigan!
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/
Miriam, wow, great post. I had no idea about Katie Fahey. She is now my new heroine.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katie_Fahey
"On November 6, 2018, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved Proposal 2.[8]
At the election night party in Detroit, Fahey said, "The thing we proved tonight is that we are our own saviors. We the people can save ourselves."[7]"
I had no idea. Your post, Mirium, is one reason I keep reading these comments.
Amazing story.
Thank you.
Yes, she was amazing. I wonder what she is doing now.
Katie Fahey (according to Wikipedia) is now with an organization called The People (thepeople.org) working towards more progressive changes.
Do it like we Did it in Michigan!!
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/
Lots of women in the upper echelons of power there too. That’s a mighty fine look. Now comes the harder part.
attempted like
Listen to Tim Miller’s interview with Mallory McMorrow (D-MI) this past week on The Bulwark for a deeper look at the MI trifecta and what it will mean, not to mention how to go about making your state government work for you.
I am hoping sometime in the future Mallory can help us all with our national government, Mallory tomorrow.
Mallory McMorrow is amazing. Would love to see her moving into National politics towards the Presidency
Forgive me, I am dreaming here: Wittmer-Mallory or Mallory-Wittmer ticket.
I suppose Wittmer-Mallory then Mallory-?
Wonderfull Michigan Mallory!! So proud of our state!!!
https://www.thebulwark.com/podcast-episode/michigan-magic-with-mallory-mcmorrow-2/
Does this mean i can feel safe on my next trip back to my home state?
Yup. Take the road through Yosemite then the 395, (take the long way home). Yahoo in Tahoe or Wahoe;
Do it like we did in Michigan!!!
https://votersnotpoliticians.com/
mps, good slogan: Do it like they Did it in Michigan!
Thanks.
And we love Doing It!!