In the world of American politics, the saga of redistricting drags on yet again. Like a never-ending soap opera, the 2020 Census has given way to a new round of drawing congressional district lines. It’s all due to the way the number of people in every district must be meticulously balanced. Unfortunately, in doing so, some of these districts start to look like bizarre ink blots or the aftermath of a spilled cup of coffee.

This is not just a game of connecting dots on a map; it’s about political power. Both Democrats and Republicans have long enjoyed crafting the perfect map to squeeze out every bit of advantage. In states like Texas and California, the fine art of gerrymandering is in full swing as each party seeks to influence the House’s delicate balance.

However, in a striking twist, Democrats in Texas decided to perform a tactical vanishing act. Apparently, they decided that a little trip was in order, and they zoomed off to Illinois, a state famous for its own dance of gerrymandering. One can’t help but appreciate the irony—a little field trip to a state flag bearer for creative district drawing. It’s almost like learning to bake cookies by watching a pie-eating contest.

In Illinois, the Texas Democrats were said to have taken online courses while on their little retreat. The courses presumably included advanced hyperbole, perhaps with a minor in dramatic rhetoric. One might imagine them, laptops open, earnestly nodding along to lessons on how best to stretch reality like a rubber band without it snapping.

As political theater goes, the stakes are high. The House margins are so tight right now that every single move matters. Even a small slip could sway the precarious balance, as every vote, district, and speech impacts the route to the White House. In the meantime, perhaps all sides should focus less on the shapes of their districts and more on the shapes of their hearts, or at least their capacities for compromise. But then again, where would the fun be in that?