Gerrymandering is the tool of tyrants

To the editor:

The essence of democracy is the idea that the citizens have the right to choose, according to their best judgment, what political philosophies and public policies will govern them. In order to evaluate their choices, the citizens need to be aware of and understand all of their policy options, have the relevant facts and confidence that their choices will be implemented.

In a healthy democracy, those wishing to represent the citizens must have the courage of their convictions. They must candidly present their ideas and arguments to the scrutiny of the citizens in the open marketplace of ideas, where they will compete freely with alternative policies and philosophies. Those without such courage or convictions become afraid their ideas cannot compete. So they strive to secure political power through other means, such as gerrymandering.

Gerrymandering strives to create a condition where only a single political party has power. One party rule is a common vehicle used by oligarchs, communists and other tyrants to seize power. By redrawing voting district lines that exclude dissenting voters, gerrymandering lets the party in power determine what policies will win. The vote of the people then becomes meaningless because there is no competition. The open marketplace of ideas is shut down so that only the ideas and policies of those in power are heard.

In Wisconsin we need to insist on outlawing gerrymandering. I urge you to vote against the gerrymandering politicians. Choose liberty and democracy over one-party rule.

James Carnes,

Oconto