They might even win a pardon for a loved one. But to force taxpayers to contribute to a political party they do not support, one that might even be antagonistic to their own interests, is morally indefensible. Politicians always play fast and loose with state funds for their own political benefit, but the size of this Republican money grab is unprecedented. Today, flaunting their majority power, Assembly Republicans are prepared to spend 10 times that much to try to outlaw the election of Democrats in this state once and for all. It's especially hypocritical since Republicans are extremely tight-fisted in spending tax funds for better health care for the poor, prescription drug benefits for the elderly or to improve education for all those public school students who don't get vouchers to attend elite private schools.
Republicans are the party of limited public spending on everyone but themselves.
At the very least, in such troubled financial times, perhaps the Republicans should consider paying their own party's bills. The public never has been as interested in redistricting as politicians. The constitutional requirement is met when districts are drawn equally to assure the principle of one person, one vote. With a computer, it would be a simple matter to divide the state fairly into equal-sized districts. But of course, neither Republicans nor Democrats are interested in dividing up the state fairly.