Once, political differences didn’t prevent respect, cooperation, or family. Through memories of spirited debates between a Republican father and a Democrat uncle, this reflection contrasts today’s divisive climate with a time when disagreement didn’t erase decency. In an era of loud voices and forced sides, it asks what kind of leadership—and country—we choose to stand behind.

I have always understood redistricting to occur when the population of voters in a district grew, shrank, or shifted. Often occurring after census, district lines would (as they should) be redrawn to assure you and I as citizens have adequate representation. I understood it to be a bipartisan process that did what government should do; preserve fairness and equity for all by making sure we are all well represented.  Gerrymandering is manipulating voting district boundaries to