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Lincoln Daily News
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Lincoln, IL 62656
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 To the editor:
It's time we return the power of Illinois government back to the
people. Our current political system is broken. It’s rigged against
us. The people of Illinois deserve a more just and fair system.
Unfortunately, the Illinois Supreme Court has now blocked a voter
referendum that would have allowed you to vote for an Independent
Map Amendment in November.
This is an affront to our democracy.
Our current system allows career politicians to draw districts for
their own benefit and protect incumbents. In the upcoming election
alone, two-thirds of incumbents are running unopposed because of how
their district is drawn.
It is an elaborate and rigged system that is failing the people of
Illinois.
The odds are stacked in favor of those in power and provide no
incentive for people who want to get involved and be good public
servants.
Instead of voters having a say in who represents them, we have
career politicians who have been controlling how votes are counted
for 20, 30 and even, 40 years.
That’s not how democracy should work.
Politicians should not be picking their voters. Voters should be
picking their politicians. Redistricting reform restores balance in
our state and brings back democracy.
[to top of second column in this letter] |
The proposed amendment would take the power away from political
parties, and give it back to the people through an independent
redistricting commission.
It’s overwhelmingly supported by both Republicans and Democrats,
including President Obama. And more than 563,000 voters signed the
original petition.
Despite the court's ruling, the Illinois General Assembly still has
the opportunity to give the power back to the people.
I encourage everyone to call your state senator and representative.
Tell them you want the General Assembly to pass redistricting reform
in the fall veto session so we can fix our broken political system
and restore democracy in Illinois. [Posted
September
16, 2016]
Click here to send a note to the editor about this letter.
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