Democrats, GOP vying for majority
By John Ellis The Fresno Bee (Published Saturday, October 12, 2002, 7:15 AM)
Updated voter registration numbers were released this week, and Fresno County's Republicans once again reign supreme over Democrats. So let the roller coaster begin.
Two years ago, the county's Republicans passed Democrats for the first time in memory.
This August, the Democrats regained the lead.
Now Republicans have a slim, 158-registrant lead. There's still time to register to vote; Democrats could make a comeback.
Before you start enjoying this E ticket ride too much, remember that you might throw up at the end. That's when reality hits.
The reality? Redistricting.
These new political districts -- which take effect after the Nov. 5 election -- are made for either Republicans or Democrats.
Almost none is competitive, so the number of registered Democrats or Republicans is a moot point. You're a slave to whatever party holds the advantage in your district.
If you're a Democrat living in the 29th Assembly District, you are essentially disenfranchised in that race. Same story if you're a Republican living in the 20th Congressional District.
We were sold out by the Democratic-dominated state Legislature with the collusion of spineless Republicans who didn't say no to this senseless plan.
HOW IT HAPPENED: The local GOP was losing the voter registration war because it had no money. The solution? Form a political action committee. The result was a pot with enough money to pay people $7 for each new Republican they signed up.
In the modern campaigns, the Democrat Voters ask, "What will the Democrats give to Me?"
There needs to be a discussion about the Preamble's "promote the general Welfare". We need to make a distinction between "promote the general Welfare", and 'create the welfare-state'. And Democrat voters (and others) need to understand this difference.
If the leaders won't change their policies, then Democrat and union voters need to abandon the socialism of the modern Democratic Party and vote to reject the Democrat candidates.