By Matt Underwood Missouri’s GOP governor calls special session to redraw congressional districts, and it’s clear this is more than just a routine political maneuver. The current landscape in Missouri, with a congressional map split 6-2 in favor of Republicans, is apparently not enough for the GOP. The goal is to potentially shift this to 7-1, which, as many see it, is a blatant attempt at gerrymandering – a practice where district boundaries are manipulated to favor a particular political party.
The potential move to 7-1 isn’t a simple numbers game. There’s a risk involved for Republicans. If they push too far, they could inadvertently make their own districts vulnerable, especially during a potential “wave election” where the political winds shift. It’s a gamble, and it reflects the desperation some feel as they try to cling to power.
Underlying this, there is a sense of frustration and even outrage about the direction some believe the country is heading. This is seen by some as an assault on democracy itself, an indication that the core principles of fairness and representation are being eroded. The debate around gerrymandering is often painted as a battle between those who want to maintain the status quo and those who believe in a more inclusive and progressive society.
The governor’s initiative isn’t just about redrawing district lines. He’s also calling for changes to the initiative petition process. Republicans are pushing for a rule that would require a statewide majority *and* a majority vote in at least five of Missouri’s eight congressional districts to pass a constitutional amendment. The current system requires only a simple majority, making it easier for citizens to enact changes through the ballot box. This push is seen by many as an attempt to weaken direct democracy, limiting the power of the people to enact change and is being criticized for undemocratic practices.
There’s a sense that this is just the beginning of a broader struggle. The initiative petition changes could make it harder for people to protect the initiative petition process and to challenge politicians. This is a signal of the political challenges and tensions Missouri is currently facing.
One point of view on this is clear: that such actions are an example of how political power is being pursued at all costs, even when it means undermining the principles of fairness and the right to vote.
The concern is that the goal is a return to a bygone era, where certain groups held a monopoly on power. It’s a narrative that casts the GOP’s actions as a fight for their own self-interest rather than a commitment to the good of the state. The argument then becomes a push to get out the vote for the next election.
The underlying message is that in order to change the political power structure, the playing field has to be leveled. Otherwise, the people may never be heard. It’s a reminder that if the current system continues, democracy is going to face many problems.
This also reminds some of how the civil war was started and how political powers have been pursuing control through state changes. The hope is that the people can stop it through the next election.