Power really does corrupt, at least in New Jersey

You’ve probably been reading about the Republican attempts to alter gubernatorial powers in Wisconsin and Michigan before the newly elected Democratic governors take office.  It is disgusting, unfair, and violates rules that we should have learned in kindergarten.

Now I read in the Times that in New Jersey Democratic legislators are trying to make the Republican Party a permanent minority by writing a Democratic gerrymander into to the state’s constitution.

There is a practical reason and an ethical reason why this is wrong.  The practical reason is that it allows Republicans in Michigan and Wisconsin (and North Carolina and Georgia) to say, “See, they do it.  Why shouldn’t we?”

The ethical reason is that it is undemocratic.  It is simply wrong.  I hate it when my side does things that I have to be ashamed of.  This is one of those things.  I hope that enough Democratic legislators in New Jersey will have the courage and the morals to say no to this power grab.

The full story can be found in Nick Corasaniti, “Democrats, Flush With Power, Try to Grab More,” New York Times, (Dec. 14, 2018), p. A1, A27.