Gerrymandering is, by definition, a practice “that attempts to
establish a political advantage for a particular party or group
by manipulating geographic boundaries to create partisan or
incumbent-protected districts.” As the nation breathes a sigh of
relief, having barely escaped economic disaster delivered by
various factions in Washington playing recklessly on the edge of
the “fiscal cliff,” with ample promise of more havoc to come, it
is essential that we ask how it is that our political system has
become so dysfunctional. Where has reason gone? Why is no one
willing to compromise? The public screamed for weeks for timely
action to solve the crisis, yet the politicians were heedless
and nearly sent us plunging into recession. Why? Many reasons
could be offered, but one of the principal contributing factors
is gerrymandering. With the boundaries of their districts wildly
contrived to favor their own political party, there is no reason
for lawmakers to pay attention to the concerns of those outside
the circ