In June of 1863, a bold decision fractured the Old Dominion. Residents of what would become West Virginia, weary of being governed by wealthy landowners who seemed above the law, declared their independence. That act of defiance echoes today, as West Virginia maintains a powerful voice in Congress while Virginians find theirs diminished.
The recent electoral victory in Virginia, achieved through a deliberately skewed redistricting plan, reveals a disturbing willingness to undermine democratic principles. Despite representing 45% of the state’s population, Republicans have been effectively silenced, facing a staggering 10-1 disadvantage in the House of Representatives delegation.
This wasn’t simply a political maneuver; it was a calculated act of disenfranchisement, largely driven by voters in affluent northern counties. They knowingly chose to silence the voices of their neighbors to the south, prioritizing political power over fair representation.
The parallels to Virginia’s past are chilling. Just as elites in 1860 fought to preserve the institution of slavery, today’s Virginia Democrats have deployed a different weapon – gerrymandering – to maintain control. The justification then was a perceived moral necessity; now, it’s the claim that a former president poses an existential threat.
The architects of this new map deliberately avoided showcasing its radical nature. They never advertised the lopsided 10-1 ratio, dismissing it as a temporary measure – a particularly cynical argument suggesting that the theft of voting rights is acceptable in moderation.
Virginia’s traditional motto, “Sic Semper Tyrannis” – “Ever thus to tyrants” – feels tragically ironic. Perhaps a more fitting phrase would be “Tyrannidem Aliquando” – “Tyranny Sometimes.” The claim that this redistricting is merely a response to similar actions in Texas rings hollow; Texas did not create such an overwhelming imbalance of power.
The message sent to working-class Virginians – those who earn their living with honest labor – is clear: their voices no longer matter. The wealthy elite, in a time-honored tradition, will continue to rule, while others are expected to serve.
This should serve as a stark warning to the Republican Party. The recent losses in Virginia weren’t simply due to being outspent or outworked; there was a palpable lack of effort, a sense of resignation. A small number of consulting firms dominate GOP campaigns, seemingly insulated from the consequences of failure.
Even within the Republican leadership, there’s a reluctance to fight fire with fire. The argument against dismantling the filibuster – the fear that Democrats might do the same – is increasingly naive. Democrats have already demonstrated a willingness to disregard democratic norms to achieve their goals.
It’s time for Republicans to embrace bolder strategies. Proposals to incorporate Arlington and Alexandria into Washington, D.C., deserve serious consideration. Equally, the idea of allowing Virginia’s border counties to join West Virginia – a concept championed by a West Virginia state senator – should be actively pursued.
West Virginia, often the subject of jokes, may be poorer and less educated than other states, but it fiercely protects the fundamental rights that fueled its creation. The men who forged West Virginia in 1863 understood the value of self-determination, and that legacy continues today.
While West Virginians woke up Wednesday with their voting rights intact, their neighbors in Virginia face a return to rule by the powerful few. The spirit of 1863, the spirit of defiance against tyranny, lives on in the Mountain State, a stark contrast to the unfolding events in the Old Dominion.
