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Just reminded my SO to fill out the census, so it feels like a good time to remind everyone: FILL OUT YOUR CENSUS BEFORE THE END OF THIS MONTH
The census is super duper important. And quick fact: our current Congressional limit of 435 representatives is built off of a census that actively suppressed urban and immigrant representation. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-problem-with-trying-to-solve-gerrymandering/2017/02/26/e0a9acce-fb9d-11e6-aa1e-5f735ee31334_story.html
In 1920, the census showed that the cities of the country had more people living in them than rural areas for the first time in our history. Giving us our due representation would have tipped the scales of power in our favor — probably permanently. So what happened?
Congressional Republicans, favored in sparsely populated areas (compared with urban Democratic machines + solid South), decided to neglect their Constitutional duty and *failed* to produce a new Congressional map — the first and last time this happened. Because...
In 1929, with GOP majorities in Congress and Herbert Hoover (that super popular guy) as President, our system passed the Permanent Apportionment Act, using the *1910* census to define Congressional representation and cap the number of reps at 435. Dooming US cities.
By capping the number of representatives while the system requires them, Republicans suppressed the representation of denser, more populated states and forced national focus towards white, rural voters — for good.
Our national conversation has been dominated by white rural communities to the massive detriment of our well-being as a country. It’s so bad that 3 million more voters can support a Democrat, and the EC (sum of House and Senate seats) comes out for the GOP.
The census makes sure our overwhelming number shows up. It will tell a story of a country that doesn’t see the balance between urban and rural as zero sum. Healthy cities — where people can build lives — are as essential to this country’s future as farms and artisans.
The census is a rare chance for us to be present in our politics somewhere close to where we actually are. GOP opponents have a much bigger slice of the country than shows up on electoral maps. And it’s time for us to use it. Fill in your census, take back our power — right now.
