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Updated: November 4, 2025 @ 11:31 am
Editor,
I respectfully disagree with letter writer Steven Howard’s claim that Proposition 50 throws “California citizens under the bus for the benefit of a political party.” If true, why didn’t the Democrats simply do this before Texas did it? Prop. 50 is obviously a purely defensive response to dirty politics as usual by the Republicans.
Although a few mostly red states have recently redistricted in a non-census year, they were mandated by federal or Supreme Court rulings to correct extreme political gerrymandering. The Texas Legislature, on the other hand, broke all precedent by forcing a mid-decade gerrymander at the behest of our president and with no voter participation like California is doing.
Since the Republicans know they must break the rules to have a fighting chance of controlling the House in 2026 and take us even farther down the road to full autocracy, Steven expects Democrats to remain passive as our democracy crumbles.
He accused me of “drinking the Democratic Party Kool-Aid,” and since fighting fire with fire is a potent elixir, I’m guzzling it. It’s certainly a whole lot more nourishing than what MAGA is drinking.
Irv Brenner
Palo Alto
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(3) comments
Dear Irv - Prop 50 throws equitable representation under the bus. There are no ifs or buts about it. A responsible US citizen would never vote for this political ploy by our useless governor. So, align yourself with those who don't give a darn about our recently established districts and just follow another despicable politician, no matter what.
Hilarious. Mr. Brenner still attempting to irrationally rationalize the threat to democracy known as Proposition 50. I appreciate Mr. Brenner acknowledging the fact that Democrats “must break the rules to have a fighting change of controlling the House in 2026.” BTW, Democracts didn’t “simply do this” because there’s already a method in place for redistricting. Democrats want to cheat, again. Meanwhile, since Newsom started the redistricting war, other states are joining the war in resistance to Newsom’s threat. If you haven’t cast your vote, vote NO to Newsom’s threat to democracy known as Proposition 50.
We need national legislation to set standards and stop this gerrymandering. The real problem is that neither side has broken the law.
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