The election of state Senators based on territory rather than population was supposed to counter the power of the cities. The equality line one man one vote was peddled to the USSC and they bought it. Warren described it later in life as the single most important decision of his court.
Now, when there is demonstrated evidence that in some states the cities political decisions run counter to the overwhelming majority of the counties, for example 90 odd percent of Virginia's counties opposing the state gun laws, a case could be made the law is now inverted- it was supposed to make things more equal, not less.
One man, one vote was a populist rallying cry long before Earl Warren. There were several, western, rural states that had direct election of Senators before 1917. (and even women's sufferage).
It is a complex thing, and going back to to it would not necessarily be any better than right now.
AND, we haven't replicated Roman patterns of cities hosting mob violence, that statement is just ignorant along the lines of "what color were the German planes that bombed pearl harbor"
Overturn Reynolds v Sims
ReplyDeletePlausible, yes.
ReplyDeleteThe election of state Senators based on territory rather than population was supposed to counter the power of the cities.
ReplyDeleteThe equality line one man one vote was peddled to the USSC and they bought it. Warren described it later in life as the single most important decision of his court.
Now, when there is demonstrated evidence that in some states the cities political decisions run counter to the overwhelming majority of the counties, for example 90 odd percent of Virginia's counties opposing the state gun laws, a case could be made the law is now inverted- it was supposed to make things more equal, not less.
One man, one vote was a populist rallying cry long before Earl Warren. There were several, western, rural states that had direct election of Senators before 1917. (and even women's sufferage).
ReplyDeleteIt is a complex thing, and going back to to it would not necessarily be any better than right now.
AND, we haven't replicated Roman patterns of cities hosting mob violence, that statement is just ignorant along the lines of "what color were the German planes that bombed pearl harbor"
ReplyDeleteYou've been quiet for a while, Eric.
ReplyDeleteYes. Been ill. Better now.
ReplyDelete