Liberal Talk Radio

See this post at The Carpetbagger Report. Looks like we might finally be getting somewhere with real, independent redistricting. Rep. John Tanner has introduced a bill:

* States would be required to establish independent commissions of at least five members to review new census data and come up with one, or several, plans to present to their legislatures for approval.

* The map would be approved unamended by the Legislature and governor. If they can’t agree, the map would go to court.

* The commissions would comprise an equal number of members appointed by the minority and majority floor leaders in the two state legislative houses. A majority of those members must appoint an additional member, who would serve as chairman.

* Those commissioners must be registered voters for at least four years, but cannot have held elective or appointed office, been an employee of a political campaign or worked for a political party. No member of the commission can run for the House until after the districts are redrawn the next time, or in 10 years.

Independent districts are the first step toward ending safe House districts. Ending safe House districts is the first step towards the emergence of Radical Centrism.

Which is a good thing.