Census estimates show big gains for US minorities

[nofurylike]

By Hope Yen
February 3, 2011

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...205S94.DTL

U.S. racial minorities accounted for roughly 85 percent of the nation's population growth over the last decade — one of the largest shares ever — with Hispanics accounting for much of the gain in many of the states picking up new House seats.

Preliminary census estimates also suggest the number of multiracial Americans jumped roughly 20 percent since 2000, to over 5 million.

The findings, based on fresh government survey data, offer a glimpse into 2010 census results that are being released on a state-by-state basis beginning this week. New Jersey, Mississippi, Virginia and Louisiana are the first to receive the census redistricting data, which will be used in the often contentious process of redrawing political districts based on population and racial makeup.

"There are going to be a lot of additional Hispanic officials elected when redistricting is done," said E. Mark Braden, a former chief counsel to the Republican National Committee who now advises state governments on redistricting. "But folks in power don't give up control that easily — there will be tension between the ins and outs."

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[jaxx]

Interesting, I hadn't heard about this. It may make a good difference for the Democrats in 2012.

[nofurylike]

(02-03-2011 09:56 AM)Sass Wrote:  It may make a good difference for the Democrats in 2012.

i hope so too, Sass!

thanks!

[Treestar]

The US is so diverse. Though right wingers don't want that. Too bad for them.

[nofurylike]

(02-06-2011 07:22 AM)Treestar Wrote:  The US is so diverse. Though right wingers don't want that. Too bad for them.

isn't it thrilling to know it is growing ever more diverse?
keep on working for power to be shared! the ultra-privileged go to ANY lengths to resist that!

well said, Treestar: "right wingers don't want that. Too bad for them"!

[NJMaverick]

Hopefully the republicans will not be able to gerrrymander away this advantage.

[nofurylike]

(02-06-2011 11:09 AM)NJMaverick Wrote:  Hopefully the republicans will not be able to gerrrymander away this advantage.

absolutely, NJMaverick! and we will certainly see them try! now that the census is officlal, how do we stop them from doing that? is that legislation? can we press legislators on that? do all states have a legislative task force that makes redistricting recommendations to legislatures? is there a period for public input?or is it different for each state?

i am sorry to realize that i don't know what i should on this. it's going to be more important than ever, since the census results. i will find out some answers, and i'll try to post on the topic.

[NJMaverick]

NFL,

It's going to be tough. The Republicans made big gains in the last couple of elections at the state level. That means they have the power, and certainly no conscience to restrain them, to make gerrymander the minorities completely out of power.

[nofurylike]

(02-07-2011 07:26 AM)NJMaverick Wrote:  NFL,

It's going to be tough. The Republicans made big gains in the last couple of elections at the state level. That means they have the power, and certainly no conscience to restrain them, to make gerrymander the minorities completely out of power.

o my, i hadn't thought about that, on top of the new numbers that will result from the census. thank you for that important point.
that is scary, isn't it, NJMaverick?

"and certainly no conscience to restrain them"
indeed.
reading that gave me chills.

time to find out all options for resisting their doing that.

[Treestar]

Likely there are some state laws to prevent gerrymandering. But of course the Republicans will try their best to get around them. Brazen aren't they? Knowing they don't really have the votes.

[nofurylike]

(02-07-2011 12:31 PM)Treestar Wrote:  Likely there are some state laws to prevent gerrymandering. But of course the Republicans will try their best to get around them. Brazen aren't they? Knowing they don't really have the votes.

"Likely there are some state laws to prevent gerrymandering"

i will be looking into that, soon, Treestar.

but you are absolutely spot-on about them. "Brazen" is a perfect word for it!! i find myself constantly blown away that they can hold such power even as the minority party! it's something to do with their being ruthless, and something to do with their sway over ignorant haters. they are experts at HARVESTING the ignorant desperate.

and white-supremacists are feeling desperate. all that power they believed they'd inherit ...
so sure they deserve it, so enraged that power is threatened ....

twisted, but dangerous.

thank you, Treestar!