Congress has a ten percent approval rating. How do
    incumbents in Congress keep getting re-elected? One
    reason is political gerrymandering. - by Dan Allie

    Since the term gerrymandering originated here in Massachusetts, there is no point
    in debating whether or not gerrymandering exists in Massachusetts.

    To be fair, both political parties are guilty of political gerrymandering. Democrats in
    Massachusetts will point out Republicans in Texas use similar tactics. But what
    does that have to do with us recognizing our own problems with political
    manipulation by a ruling party? Both are fundamentally unfair and nothing our
    elected leaders should defend or play a part in.

    Political gerrymandering does not serve the public, or lead to free and fair elections.
    Just as racial gerrymandering is designed to hold down minority candidates,
    political gerrymandering is designed to keep all challenger candidates from a level
    playing field and in the minority.

    The people of Massachusetts who you have sworn to represent deserve, openness
    and transparency and good government by the consent of the governed. While this
    committee certainly should consider the input of our Democrat-controlled
    congressional delegation regarding the needs of the districts, one questions the
    thinking behind having our congressmen holding a fundraiser in Washington DC
    for a state rep leader of the committee or why meetings were not held openly rather
    than exclusively behind closed doors.

    Everything in nature has a balance. There is no such balance in our government
    here in Massachusetts. As a result, common sense rules, reforms and proposals
    are voted down at the beginning of every legislative session. The residents and
    taxpayers of Massachusetts would be better served by open discussions of
    important issues and vigorous debate of opposing ideas.

    Instead we are left with a lopsided majority, where dissent has little place or hope
    of succeeding, where new ideas have little chance of moving forward and the last
    three speakers of the house have been indicted.

    I ask this committee to consider some common sense proposals

    Districts should not be designed to split a town if the population allows it to fit into
    one state representative district.  Towns such as Chicopee and Chelmsford should
    not split up into many districts.
    Towns in a state representative district be grouped together when part of a school
    region.

    I would like to remind this committee that a government that insulates itself from
    the will of the people is not a democracy, and one that manipulates the law to suit
    itself is not a republic.

    Common Sense Proposals

    Kurt Hayes, a Republicans candidate for state rep in the 37th Middlesex district and
    I have written letters to various newspapers attempting to give voice to this issue
    and how it affects fair elections.

    Districts should not be designed to split a town if the population allows it to fit into
    one state representative district. Towns in a state representative district should be
    grouped together when part of a school region.

    Add your voice and help hold our elected officials accountable. Attend a public
    hearing, write a letter to the editor, call talk radio and talk with your friends and
    neighbors. Kurt says, "the more voices calling for openness and transparency the
    better."

    Contact your state legislator and ask when public hearings will be held. Demand
    free and fair elections.
     www.malegislature.gov/People/FindMyLegislator

    The state has created a web site on redistricting including the
    history and a calendar of public hearings.
    http://www.malegislature.gov/District