Dear Editor:
The northern end of North Bergen used to be in the 9th congressional district. But now it’s been gerrymandered into the 8th district with a running incumbent candidate from the 13th district. Can this be any more confusing? And shouldn’t our representatives have some common sense and some decency and respect for their constituents (whom we pay their salaries) to inform us about the redistricting changes like where, when and why? But no, that would be the right and decent thing to do. With all the phony reasons that congress gives when passing their gerrymandering legislation about every ten years after the census is taken, it all amounts to nothing short of legislator lies; in fact, gerrymandered districts are the frequent result of lopsided boundary lines created for the benefit of those legislators and their political party allies in the House of Representatives.
As the United States Election Project puts it, “representatives select voters rather than voters elect representatives.” Again, instead of a polite, decent and courteous letter in the mail from our reps., what we get is every ten years (and usually within the year of an important presidential election) gerrymandered redistricting maps, collusion among the major political parties to create safe congressional and state legislative districts, and the packing and splitting of concentrations of voters to weaken or strengthen their influence to gain partisan advantage. This essentially enables legislators to choose the voters they wish to represent and makes it difficult for voters to hold their elected officials accountable. One would think that if a district is changed and constituents now are represented by totally new congressmen, we the people, should be introduced to that new rep, or at least know something about him or her — but again, that would be the courteous and right thing to do. When will our representatives hold themselves accountable to their constituents? But then again, who are they? — And who is my congressman? — And where am I — in the 8th, 9th, or 13th district?
Sincerely,
John Amato