Have you ever wondered why your U.S. House of Representative member seems not to care what we citizens want them to do? Rather they vote nearly 100% of the time along party lines. It’s because they know that 90% of incumbents get reelected in general elections. The only way they lose their job is if their party wants them replaced by someone more obedient and they oppose them in the party primary.
How can this be, you ask? It happens because both parties have made gerrymandering into an artform. Gerrymandering is done after each census. The state legislatures in all but 14 states arrange the congressional boundaries in such a way as to ensure that it’s party has the most voters. You may remember when Evergreen, a relatively Republican area was reapportioned to be in the same Congressional District as Boulder, a much bigger and much more Democratic area. Republican votes in Evergreen became too few to affect results.
Colorado is one of 14 states whose voters voted to get rid of gerrymandering by voting that reapportionment be done by a non-partisan commission. Our speaker will explain how this is working.
Don’t forget to bring tuna
Bill Downes will do a Rotary 101 at 5PM on Wednesday. If you are a new, intermediate or even old Rotarian, you will learn something about Rotary. Plan to attend.
Dave reports over 164,000 mobility devices have been shipped and put in service. Another batch will be loaded 10/2. That would fill Mile High Stadium more than three times.
We should consider applying for a Rotary Youth Exchange student. We have only had one exchange student and it was a positive experience. Let P.J. know your thoughts on this subject.
As always, I hope to see a big turn out Wednesday.