For most of us, this isn’t a new idea, but I thought it bore repeating.
The inability to govern now being demonstrated by Republicans is a direct result of their aggressive tactics in district-level gerrymandering. There are now seats that are so “safe”, the Representatives for them need only throw bombs and do performance art.
At the outset, right-wing big money figured out a master plan. Crack and pack liberal districts and get a lock on the House. This plan has taken some time to come to fruition, but the fingerprints there. Beleaguered Speakers Boehner and Ryan already had their brushes with the Freedom Caucus. McCarthy reaped what had been sown for several years.
Here’s the genius of the plan. These hardcore red districts are distinctly rural, and are therefore the least expensive media markets. All the hardcore right wingers have some sort of radio presence, and it’s for a reason. They can flood these rural districts with their version of the news.
The plan is starting to backfire now. The big money has enabled the worst sorts of people to get in the House, and they don’t care if the place burns down.