Final answer:
The best description of the political cartoon's message on gerrymandering is likely that a decision intended to promote non-partisanship was decided along partisan lines. Gerrymandering is the process of manipulating district boundaries for political gain, a practice scrutinized in historical contexts and current political debates.
Step-by-step explanation:
To accurately interpret the message in the political cartoon regarding gerrymandering, one must understand the context and history of the practice. Gerrymandering is the process of drawing legislative district boundaries to benefit a specific political party or group. This manipulation of district lines is intended to give an advantage by diluting the opposition's voting power across several districts or concentrating them into a few, to ensure safe seats for the party in power. The term originated from a combination of Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry's name and the word salamander, reflecting a district shape from 1812 that was criticized in a political cartoon. While the cartoon in question is not provided, a message that best matches the historical and current understanding of gerrymandering, especially considering the mention of Supreme Court rulings, partisanship, and the long-standing practice by both major parties, is likely B. A decision promoting non-partisanship was decided along party lines.
Contextually, this message may point to the ironic situation where a ruling or policy intended to reduce partisan influence in redistricting is itself influenced by the partisan composition of the deciding body, such as the Supreme Court. It reflects ongoing debates about the legal and ethical aspects of gerrymandering and related Supreme Court decisions. Nonetheless, without the actual cartoon to analyze, this interpretation is based on the provided information about the practice and issues associated with gerrymandering and its impact on political representation and fairness.