It looks like Washington, DC's finally going to get a quarter of our own just as if we were a real state. I feel all fuzzy inside. Maybe someday we can have congressional representation, too.
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Quartered at Last
20 Dec 2007 01:44 pm
Comments (20)
maybe get fuzzier on the outside too! put the part of DC with residences back into maryland (and virginia) -- get a representative and Senators too! otherwise you need to get a constitutional amendment, good luck with that.
In reference to Mike above, where did this absurd idea that the "federal" parts of DC should maintain special status and the residence go back to Maryland come from? I have a secret, residences and commercial buildings are all mixed in with the government buildings. The federal government has longed outgrown its headquarters buildings and there are peopel everywhere. The State Department, for example, has at least 6 major buildings in the District plus a number of smaller offices that I can think of off the top of my head. Besides why do federal buildings need special treatment only in the District? Many agencies have their headquarters in Virginia and Maryland.
And once you get that quarter, you can call somebody who cares.
Dilan, I'm confused by your post. Do you think he writes this blog specifically to you?
well -- if you want representation, become part of a state (move) or change the Constitution which is pretty specific about who gets represented in Congress. My suggestion somewhat impractically (as you observe) attempts to strip the federal district to just the federal buildings in D.C. proper but I could see allowing the people living in DC to becoming marylanders.
Mike C,
Your suggestion that we should move if we want to enjoy a fundamental human right - to have a voting representative in the national legislature - is massively offensive.
The U.S. is the only country in the world that disenfranchises the residents of its capital city. For a comparative study see: http://www1.worldbank.org/wbiep/decentralization/library1/boyd.pdf
Al's getting his own quarter: it's only worth 13 cents.
then change the Constitution which does not provide for your representation (and in fact requires statehood for representation in Congress) -- I am not opposed!! or immediately legislate the residents of DC become residents of Maryland or Virginia and you get full rights without much fuss (might be unfair to maryland to get saddled with such an albatross). I too don't like it that there are citizens without representation (US territories included) but living in DC is a choice, right?
D.C. quarter:
visage: Lloyd Blankfein
motto: "Everyone has their price"
Maryland's Senators and Representatives don't want Washington, DC to become part of their state. They oppose this proposal vehemently and oppose any and all retrocession legislation. Without their support retrocession will never happen. This is the reality of the anti-democratic forces faced by the American citizens who live in the District of Columbia. It’s not a matter of returning to Maryland; it’s an issue of providing human beings with their unalienable rights.
Snarky comments aside, where do you commenters really stand? Do you support democracy or oppose it? If you believe in democracy it then stand up with the residents of Washington. If you oppose democratic rights, then admit what you really are.
all for representation & democracy -- but how to do it without breaking a lot of Constitutional eggs, absorbed back into MD is the most expedient way for DC. Perhaps the Fed Gov't can provide MD with the financial support DC is getting now. Maybe there is a price at which MD will take back the land. This still leaves open other territories without federal representation (no electoral college votes for USVI, PR, etc.).
It's not about money or expediency. It's about power. If Washington is absorbed into Maryland then all the politicians in that state lose power. They don't want to lose power, so they don't support retrocession. Specifically -- Sen. Mikulski, Sen. Cardin, Rep. Hoyer, and the rest do not support retrocession therefore it will not happen.
If you don't doubt me, then go back to the Congressional Record and read the colloquies about this subject. It's quite clear from what Hoyer said -- and even more evident from what he didn't say -- that retrocession will only happen over his dead body. (And did I mention that he's the 2nd most powerful Democrat in the House?)
Retrocession just is not the solution to the injustices faced by the residents of Washington. You can talk about retrocession until you're blue in the face, but it's naive because no member of Congress from Maryland would ever let it happen. Retrocession is a really nice idea, but nice ideas aren't always congruent with political realities.
b: Do you support democracy or oppose it? If you believe in democracy it then stand up with the residents of Washington. If you oppose democratic rights, then admit what you really are.
Constitution first, democracy second. Sorry.
An amendment to have representatives in the House would be reasonable and consistent with the original intent. The Senate not so much but if you can get it, fine.
Realistically what you need to get your amendment even proposed: a 2/3 D majority in Congress, or, get DC voters to split 50/50 R/D so that the amendment doesn't appear to give one side an advantage.
b - what is your solution? a little tea party in the potomac -- (dump copies of the congressional record into the river?). Seriously, what solution are you proposing? Otherwise your apparent indignation is merely noted and not acted upon..
I accept, unexamined, your assertion about the congressional delegation not wanting DC (though I really can't imagine giving up such a Democratic stronghold for statewide election purposes - this would guarantee Democratic Govs. and Sens. for a very long time).
a fundamental human right - to have a voting representative in the national legislature
I'm pretty sure this is debasing the notion of fundamental human rights. Move out of the District if you want a voting representative -- the Rights of Man restored in one easy step.
The whole point of DC existing at all is for it not to be one of the united "states". There are reasons for these things apart from your own private victimhood. Again, just move already -- that's what Americans do, after all.
rapoli:
Article 21(1) of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives."
What debases the notion of human rights is the suggestion that one should be forced to move in order to have them.
The Constitution disenfranchises residents of "the seat of the government of the United States," but it doesn't prevent Congress from redefining what "the seat of the government of the United States" is. They've done so once already, when they returned parts of the District of Columbia to Virginia. They can do so again, and nothing prevents them from granting statehood to any land outside the redefined seat of government. No Constitutional amendment is necessary, just as no amendment was necessary to remove Arlington and Alexandria from the seat of government and return them to Virginia.
"Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives."
So, what's stopping you? Particularly living in DC, there are innumerable ways to participate in any branch of government you choose. It is easier just to bellyache though. "Human Rights," geez. Have a little dignity, and you might be taken more seriously, DC.
Seriously, what solution are you proposing?
Pass the DC Voting Rights Act. It will allow the residents of the District of Columbia to elect a voting member to the House of Representatives.
This year, H.R. 1905, the DC Voting Rights Act, passed the House of Representatives 241-177. The companion bill in the Senate, S 1257, had the support of a 57-vote majority but was filibustered by 42 Republicans.
Comments closed January 03, 2008.
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Heads in the Sand
Oh, I like the Mayor Barry quarter. Very nice. They ought to put a motto on the quarter too (like the New Hampshire quarter has "Live Free or Die"). I propose adding, next to Mayor Barry's visage, "Bitch set me up".
Posted by Al | December 20, 2007 1:56 PM