Instead, the California legislature should have claimed as many seats as possible for the Democrats. It may have taken districts that looked more complicated than a salamander, but the goal should have been a delegation that lacked a single supporter of Trump.
Manipulating the electorate in this way goes against everything progressives have fought for in recent history, but the threat of permanently losing all representation cannot be ignored. It is not hyperbolic to call Trump a fascist who would throw away our democracy without hesitation to secure more power. With Republicans controlling the presidency, the House, the Senate, and the Supreme Court, he has been able to kidnap immigrants (and citizens) off the streets and trample their due process rights. He has put the military on the streets of Los Angeles to intimidate people from using their First Amendment right to protest. Taking the high road at this point has the potential to wipe away all freedoms, including any chance of ever achieving equal representation in Congress.
Dr. Diane Ravitch has recognized education advocate Carl Petersen as a valiant fighter for public schools. He has run for the LAUSD School Board as a Green Party candidate and is a passionate voice for special education, inspired by his experience raising two daughters with severe autism. Recently relocated to Washington, he is now also embracing his role as Poppy to two grandsons. Explore more at www.ChangeTheLAUSD.com.
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