Letter advocates standing up for fair maps
In 1861, Texas decided to leave the United States along with a few other slave states, thus helping precipitate the Civil War.
In 2025, Texas decided to wreck democracy again by ending fair and democratic congressional districting for its citizens. The Texas goal is to gerrymander all its districts to give Trump powers of a dictator.
This could again become grounds for a new Civil War. The result would be the same. Texas and the Trump-loving states would go down in ignominious defeat. We could let their provocations occur without acting, much like Germany in the 1930s, or we could take steps now to counter the Texas distortions.
The simplest, most appropriate action would be to illustrate that the Texas “brown shirts” can be met with equal and more legitimate use of temporary gerrymander.
We must protect the integrity of our process and ensure that fair representation remains a priority over partisan gain.
So, I encourage everyone to stand up for fair maps and vote “Yes” on the amendment to keep our current, nonpartisan system in place.
We must counter the unethical, immoral actions of Texas by peaceful means before we turn to solutions like another Civil War.
Bill Tanger
Botetourt Democrats for Common Sense Solutions
