[Political Junkie Too]

I would have to figure out what to do with states like California. Can you imagine our legislature appointing our senators? I can't.

I can and I'd live with it. I'd hope that it inspires more grass-roots attention to local politics.

If California were to be split up, it would have to be into several viable states -- it can't just be split up. So, how do we split California into smaller states that can still survive on their own?

How about:

1. South California: Coastal San Diego, Los Angeles, north up to, but not including Monterey. They get the naval base and the entertainment business. Capital: Los Angeles. Political leaning: mixed.

2. North California: Coastal Monterey, San Francisco Bay Area, Napa, north to Redding and the Oregon Border. They get liberal fantasyland. Capital: Berkeley. Political leaning: Hard Left Democrat.

3. Sierra: Eastern mountainous region that runs up the entire eastern border of California. They get water, tourism, Yosemite, Tahoe, winter skiing. Capital: Sacramento. Political leaning: Conservative Republican.

-PJ

[risk]

Gerrymandering always makes me nervous. But your comment: "I'd hope that it inspires more grass-roots attention to local politics," is intriguing and I think it would work. Instead of just saying, "will this candidate help you in your district," we'd be forcing citizens to say, "is he up to the task of appointing a senator?"

These are exciting ideas, fellow FReeper!