Hartmann on Ohio Redistricting plan

Redistricting plans (bi)czar

August 22, 2005

by Greg Hartmann

The dictionary defines the word "czar" as a "tyrant" or "an appointed official having special powers to regulate or supervise an activity." A czar isn't elected and usually is resented by those he controls.

This year, proposals are pending in California and Ohio to remove elected officials from the process of drawing legislative and congressional districts and replace them with people who will essentially become redistricting czars. Czars didn't go over well in Russia centuries ago, and they won't go over well in America today.

Currently, elected leaders draw legislative district lines and are held accountable for those decisions at the ballot box. Americans can vote those leaders out of office if the districts are drawn in an unfair way. Yet, with a rallying theme that can be described only as "let's take the politics out of politics," a few dissidents want to change all that.

The Ohio proposal is particularly troubling because it is unabashedly anti-democratic. For example, being buddies with an Ohio judge would give you a better shot of serving on the unelected group of five redistricting czars. Two handpicked Ohio judges would be allowed to name anyone they want to draw the political lines that affect 11 million people. Those named could include the judge's daughter, brother-in-law or political crony. Then those special appointees could look to their own pool of friends and family to select the remaining three czars. It would be comical if it weren't downright scary.

And in both California and Ohio, the redistricting czars would be forced to replace common sense and good judgment with a series of arcane formulas that would give math geniuses a headache and creative trial lawyers a field day. Proponents bill this idea as non-partisan, but in reality, the czars could have a partisan political agenda but it would be much less visible to the public.

Both states are political proving grounds for new ideas. So, if adopted, expect to see these dubious proposals coming soon to a voting booth near you.

Let's keep the system that works. We elect people, they do the right thing or we vote them out. It's called accountability. It's a concept that's familiar and acceptable to everyone — except czars.

Greg Hartmann is the Clerk of Courts of Hamilton County, Ohio, and a Republican candidate for Ohio Secretary of State.

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USA TODAY, Monday, August 22, 2005

Redistricting plans (bi)czar

 

Hartmann for Ohio

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email: hartmannforohio@yahoo.com

web: http://www.greghartmann.com