To the Editor:

Recently, Democratic strategist James Carville urged Democrats to add two states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C., to give us 52 states when Democrats “get back in power.” He also suggested that the Democrats “pack the Supreme Court” after the 2028 election.

He also applauded Texas Democrats fleeing to Illinois to prevent the Republican majority from redistricting Texas in hopes of garnering more Republicans in the House. All these moves are necessary, according to Carville, in order to “save democracy.”

My question is simply this: if the Republicans, who are in control of both houses and the White House, were to add two Republican states, let’s say splitting Texas into an East and West and Alabama into a North and South Alabama, would that be “saving democracy?” How about if Donald Trump decided to add four more Supreme Court seats, and of course filled them with conservatives, would that be “saving democracy?’’ Clearly the answer from Democrats’ point of view, these actions would be considered a “power grab” from an “authoritarian fascist.”

Now don’t get me wrong, I am not in favor of either party in power from changing the rules once they are in charge of the game. And once the dominoes  start falling, where does it end? California is trying to redistrict to favor even more their Democratic dominance. And now South Carolina is considering redistricting to favor Republicans. Believe it or not, I have the radical view that the two-party system is a good thing, and letting the voters decide which party’s views align best with their own values, is my definition of “true democracy.” And in that vein, I am not in favor of either party gerrymandering their districts into whatever is most beneficial to them. I think the lines should be set by natural borders and made by an independent agents. But please spare me the hypocrisy of Democrats applauding other Democrats for preventing redistricting in away that is not in their favor, while running to the most gerrymandered state in the union and doing the same thing in states where they are in control. If that is “saving democracy,” then I want nothing to do with it.

David Lawson, MD
Lake Junaluska