Representative Heath Shuler and Representative Jim Cooper introduced two bills aimed at reforming the Congressional redistricting process to lessen the divisive, partisan tone in Washington.

Shuler introduced the Fairness and Independence in Redistricting Act, H.R. 453, which requires states to establish an independent, bipartisan commission to redraw congressional district lines every 10 years following the decennial census. An equal number of commissioners would be appointed by the minority and majority floor leaders in each state’s legislatures. The appointed commissioners would then elect, by majority vote, the commission chairperson. This legislation requires the commission to use geographical contiguity and compactness of district, rather than political affiliations and the impact redistricting will have on incumbent representatives, as criteria for redrawing district lines. If passed H.R. 453 would go into effect for the 2020 redistricting, not 2010.

“The American people should choose their representatives—not the other way around,” Rep. Shuler said. “The current system of gerrymandered districts has left a patchwork of highly-partisan, ideologically skewed Congressional districts, where Representatives are more beholden to their political party than the constituents they were elected to serve. While most Americans identify with the ideological center, too many of our congressional districts don’t reflect that. These gerrymandered districts often result in representatives from both extremes of the political spectrum being elected to Congress who cannot or will not work together for the benefit of all.”

Rep. Cooper introduced companion legislation to H.R. 453, the Redistricting Transparency Act, which requires all proposed redistricting plans to be available online for review and public comment prior to their adoption. This legislation will increase public participation and accountability in the redistricting process, set to begin in most states within in the next week.

“Together, these two pieces of legislation take steps to create a culture of bipartisanship that has been absent in Washington in recent years,” Rep. Shuler said. “If we are to work together in Washington to find solutions to the challenges facing our country, bipartisanship must start at home with the way our congressional districts are drawn. The result will be a system where the American people—not political parties—have the advantage in our political process.”

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Living in severely gerrymandered districts myself- NC12 and State NC32, I am the first one to raise my hand in support of redistricting reform. However, I’m not so sure this is the best way to go about it. What are your thoughts?

– Wendy
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The evil Westboro Church is planning on picketing the funeral of 9 year old Christina Green this Thursday. I am glad others have taken the initiative to provide a barrier between the loved ones and the hate filled group.

From Fox News:

“But when the church announced it would picket the funeral Thursday for the 9-year-old girl fatally shot over the weekend at a Tucson grocery store by a gunman who allegedly killed five others and injured 14 others attending a town-hall session by Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, Tucson- and Phoenix-area residents started organizing immediately.

They may not be able to stop them, but they plan on giving the grieving family as much of a buffer as possible between the protesters and the service.”

I’m also glad to see Arizona lawmakers acting swiftly to do what they can to alleviate this situation, by drafting legislation that would require the protesters to stay 300 feet away from the funeral. I believe that is a better solution than the suggestion being made in Maine.

The Tuscon TEA Party had a message on their website:
We are incredibly saddened by the evil and atrocious violence that
was inflicted on our community this morning. The shooting of
Representative Gabrielle Giffords and other innocent people is not
to be condoned.
Our prayers go out to Representative Giffords and all of the people who were
injured or lost today.  Our hope is that as a community we can heal and help
those who were hurt by this terrible tragedy.
The Tucson Tea Party

Durham’s city council is receiving feedback over a resolution that would have the city recognize accept the Matricula Consular (Mexican ID card) as a valid form of identification. If it passes, Durham will be the FIRST city in the COUNTRY to do this. It’s not like these people are entering the country, then coming to North Carolina with these cards. The Mexican Government is coming to North Carolina, issuing the cards HERE- just as recently as September. They tried to go to Fayetteville Technical Community College in July, but after numerous contacts by citizens, they cancelled the event.

It’s been said that there are “misunderstandings” concerning this, implying that the “misunderstandings” are what is fanning the flames of the upset critics. What is really to be misunderstood?

“Ronald Garcia with El Centro Hispano says … the high security card cannot be used to vote, access government benefits, or replace a valid driver’s license. But in the case of someone pulled over without proper ID, the card could help them avoid a lengthy legal process.”

Proper ID is required to operate a vehicle. If it was not, then we would not be required to obtain a drivers license and insurance to drive legally. If an American citizen is pulled over, they are required to show identification and car registration. If not, they face the penalty for not having them- a “lengthy legal process”. Why is someone who moved here from Mexico more special than an American born citizen? Since our elections process does not require ANY form of identification to vote, it seems a moot point to even bring that up. Since social services workers are not allowed to question or even confirm a person’s legal status upon applying for government benefits, there’s another moot point. What I personally find disturbing is that this man is saying there are “misunderstandings” about what the resolution is really about. I wish they would clarify- because if it is not meant to replace a drivers license, but to help someone WITHOUT one, who is DRIVING, AVOID a legal process, then what is it there, for? Why should we move to recognize foreign ID cards when our own DMV offers ID cards ALREADY?

This smells a whole lot like the work of the progressive group CHANGE that is happening in Winston Salem. They are offering “alternate IDs” and even acknowledge not everyone receiving one is here legally, but the Winston Salem Police Department is willing to recognize these IDs. It seems to this citizen, that groups are going out of their way to circumvent the valid identification methods that have been in place for eons, and the only difference in these “new, helpful” forms of IDs is that citizenship is not required to receive one. That tells me that when a police officer sees one of these IDs, they already know there is a chance that the person is an illegal alien. For our police departments and cities to start recognizing these “alternate” forms of ID, screams the willingness to overlook someone being here illegally. If anything, we should have a state law proposed in the next session that IF someone is driving with an alternate form of identification, that that is cause enough to verify their legal status.

There is NO REASON for someone NOT to have a valid, U.S. issued form of ID. If organizations want to help with the process, raise funds to help people pay the TEN DOLLARS it costs at the DMV to get one.

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We are looking for ten or more volunteers in counties across the state, including Durham, Wake, Orange, and Person counties. If you are interested in furthering the TEA Party movement in these (or other) areas, please contact us.

Sharon “Shay” Snow, a dedicated friend and a dedicated Tea Party activist, passed away today.  Shay was one of the most ambitious
Republican precinct chairmen in Forsyth County and was the Rural Hall/Pfafftown Outreach Chairmen.  She will truly be missed!

Please pray for her family & friends during this time.

Many of you have asked for a guide to Tuesday’s Voting.

Here it is.