I started hearing radio ads several weeks ago decrying Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's anti-gerrymandering initiative. It should be noted that out of more than 100 races for the state legislature -- both Assembly and Senate -- not a single seat changed parties. The gerrymandering insures that there is little room in either the Democrat or Republican parties for moderates. All one has to do to win election is secure your base -- there's no need to reach out to the middle.

Back to the ads. I've only heard the ads on talk radio. Not sports radio, nor any music stations I've listened to. The ads are directed at Republicans, and warn about putting the redistricting process in the hands of retired "liberal" judges -- as if districts could be made any more undemocratic than they already are. The group running the ads is called "Citizens United to Save California." Unfortunately, the group appears to be operating illegally, whoever they are. They're not registered to politick with the state.

Sacramento-area talk show host Eric Hogue has some information on the group, and it appears that the group has some Democrat connections. The only identifiable Republican works at a Democrat law firm -- all based out of the Bay Area. No one in the state GOP has claimed any connections with the group.

I'm surprised that no newspaper has investigated the group -- nor does it appear as though the group is under investigation for its illegal political expenditures.

Both the state and the press need to get to it.