Kansas City Gerrymandering Playlist: Everybody Does It

What is strangely lost or just overlooked in the Missouri redistricting debate is that so-called "gerrymandering" is part of our sketchy American political tradition.

First let's define terms . . . When it comes to voting . . . 

Gerrymandering is the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries to advantage a party, group, or socioeconomic class within the constituency. 

Even more backstory . . . 

The term "gerrymandering" originated in 1812 from a combination of the name of Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry and the word "salamander". After Gerry signed a bill redrawing electoral districts to benefit his party, a political cartoon in the Boston Gazette depicted one of the oddly shaped districts resembling a salamander. The cartoon, titled "The Gerry-mander," caught on, and the term became the name for the tactic of manipulating district lines to gain a political advantage. 

As always, the locals are split on this impending decision with most loyal dems rallying to the defense of congressman Cleaver . . . Here's yet another sampling of that sentiment . . . 

Proposed Missouri congressional map splits Kansas City 3 ways, opponents call it gerrymandering

Meanwhile . . . TKC readers ALWAYS have a better take . . . Consider . . . 

KANSAS CITY COUNCIL DISTRICTS ARE PROBABLY THE BEST PEEK AT LOCAL GERRYMANDERING IN ACTION!!!

Already so many cowtown activists & protesters kinda forget that local Dem leaders "really did a number" on the Northland in order to thwart a growing conservative enclave and to keep voters on the nice side of the bridge from gaining too much traction. 

And so . . .

People who REALLY know Kansas City politics might understand that when it comes to gerrymandering, EVERYBODY DOES IT and so it's easy to tune out so much hyperbole about the downfall of the Republic by way of moving lines. 

And all this inspires our www.TonysKansasCity.com playlist on the topic of "doing" so many things that are essential to life but not always suitable for polite conversation . . .

Again, because we're getting older . . . Once again Steely Dan leads this playlist as we celebrate this hit from their catalog and one of their very best live performances . . .

Taking things in an entirely different direction, "Doing It" by LL Cool J isn't his very best but represents a notable moment for his rap music legacy as he continued to produce better, mainstream hip-hop tracks long after his musical rivals faded from the scene.

We apologize but the legacy of disco & funk will never die for old-heads like TKC and "Do It ('Til You're Satisfied)" by Brooklyn band B.T. Express is likely a tune that literally "conceived" of so many GenXers who would later discover retro love for the dance floor anthem.

For the bridge, we linger in the glorious 70s music scene and fondly remember Captain & Tennille's "Do That To Me One More Time" which likely provided many moments of cringe when your mom would sing it at full volume.

In conclusion . . . A reminder about the ageless inclination to "do it" that ensures the survival of the species . . . "Let's Do It, Let's Fall in Love" is a popular song written in 1928 by Cole Porter. It's a remarkably politically incorrect song not because of any innuendo but thanks to insensitive racial & ethnic terminology that was slowly cleaned up from the tune over time. This version by Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine is from 1960's Can Can which is also remarkably outdated and will soon be lost to history.

As always, thanks for reading this week and have a safe & fun Saturday night.