Georgia Republicans lose in court AGAIN
Republicans just can’t let go. We have yet to see one who honestly wants to do anything to help the people they allegedly represent, yet they are dying to be and remain in office. They think they’re smarter than everyone else, and perhaps, in a way, they are. Look at the Georgia ruling against the congressional districts drawn by a majority Republican legislature for example. Judge Jones told Republicans to draw several majority Black districts, but he didn’t say “how.” What’s the first thing Republicans did? Redraw two that already included Democratic representation, which will do little, if anything, to dilute Republican power in Georgia.
In their minds, it makes sense to eliminate two white-majority districts that are currently represented by Democrats. While they think they’re satisfying Judge Jones’ order, basically nothing changes. Heaven forbid they look at their own districts, which have been gerrymandered over the years to favor Republicans. Of course, this change doesn’t completely satisfy Judge Jones’ order, but you can certainly see where it’s heading. Republicans are hell bound to stay in office, even when people don’t want them, and a judge has issued a ruling telling them to change. They just keep doing what they want to do. They were supposed to be beginning their work on redistricting Wednesday, so let’s see what they come up with because this plan doesn’t satisfy the order issued in October.
Judge Jones ordered Black majorities in one additional congressional district, two in state senate districts, and five additional state house districts. Drawing these two to wipe out to white Democratic majority districts will not satisfy the order. He ordered eight majority Black districts, not two. Two of them must be drawn in southern Atlanta, which is heavily Black. Those districts are in Douglas County, Henry County, and Clayton County, all of which have seen a large increase in the Black population since 2010. By mingling these districts with others, white Republicans have been able to have majorities all over Georgia, regardless of whether those districts are right, fair, or even make sense. Republican maps are ridiculous. There is no way that people in Cobb, Gwinnett, southern metro Atlanta, Houston County, and Peach County have the same concerns. Not only does this dilute the Black vote, but those areas have little, if anything, in common. They are neglecting one thing: Judge Jones must accept the maps they draw.
According to NBC News, Republicans are also looking at counties in Fulton and Cobb that were not ordered redrawn, and you can guess why: They are Democratic districts. Judge Jones is not going to accept this foolishness. He was quite clear when he ordered the maps redrawn. He didn’t ask them to draw over every Democratic district Republicans can snoop out. He wanted them redrawn in the obviously gerrymandered districts. It’s going to be quite interesting to see how this plays out. Judge Jones told them if they couldn’t do it, he would do it himself. He’ll likely do a much better job of it.
Shirley is a former entertainment writer and has worked in the legal field for over 25 years