Gerrymandering

Ross Baker’s assertion that “the quality of Democratic congressional candidates is simply better than that of Republicans,” is the type of stuff for which high boots and pitchforks are best suited (Op-Ed Page, March 28). Baker as a political science professor should know that gerrymandering by a Congress controlled by Democrats is the ultimate culprit. By tossing the Republicans a few bones in the form a few safe districts, the Democrats were able to stretch districts in the ‘60s, twist them in the ‘70s, and turn them into veritable pretzels in the ‘80s. It is no wonder that Republicans have no chance in the House, unlike the Senate where races are run statewide.

With the 1990 census only a few short months away, it is likely that the Democrats will again “smooth the numbers” so as to ensure control of the House well into the next century. Until this fundamental problem is addressed, the Republicans, no matter who they run, will remain the minority party in the U.S. House of Representatives.

DREW PHILLIPS

Carson