Mother Jones - Comments for "An End to Taxation Without Representation in D.C.?"

Versions of this bill have been floating around for years - and unfortunately, all have fallen through. Last summer a compromise bill was proposed in which Utah would also gain a seat as well, balancing DC's almost-certainly Democratic one. However, (somewhat specious) issues of constitutionality arose, and it went nowhere. As a former District resident, I would be thrilled to see this one pass - but I'm not expecting it.

The statehood of Washington DC and Puerto Rico it is not really an American issue. The separation of Canada into English and French countries is the only likely scenario for the statehood of potentially minority heavy states. In 1980, the separatists lost a referendum by a margin of 60 to 40 percent. That narrowed in 1995 to 50.6 percent to 49.4 percent. The statehood of Puerto Rico will only be decided when the lilly white western Provinces of Canada are free to become states in the US. At that time Puerto Rico and Washington DC will be allowed to become states. The Republican versus Democratic trade off will be the two new “Democratic” states balanced versus the two or three new “Republican” states from Canada. My intuition tells me that this very scenario has been considered behind closed doors in both Ottawa and Washington DC.

One minor correction: the third paragraph refers to McConnell as the House minority leader. It's apparent from the context that he's minority leader of the Senate and you've referred to him as such, but it could be confusing.

Many years ago I realized that the statist Republicans no more represented me than the statist Democrats. Letters, voting, nothing I did could get them to adhere to the Constitution or my rights to life, liberty and property.

I haven't had federal government representation in a decade. How can I feel sorry for the residents of DC?

Word.

hey, how about we worry about representation for the vast majority of people living in this entire country. This poison-spewing, gas guzzling, war empire, death machine isn't really what most of us consider "democracy," now is it? This is a one-party fascist state with the most killer PR machine convincing us to keep loving the red, white, and blue brand of war. [deleted] that. The entire US government has lost all legitimacy, from the CIA, FBI, and FEMA to the FDA, EPA, and HHS. If you work for or against any of these horrible corporate tie-ins, you... PERSONALLY ensure their continued existence. KNOCK IT OFF.

Historically, the city's local government has earned somewhat of a reputation for mismanagement and waste, particularly during the mayoralty of Marion Barry, who was re-elected despite serving jail time for smoking crack cocaine. A front-page story in the July 21, 1997 Washington Post reported that Washington had some of the highest-cost lowest-quality services in the entire region, including a high-cost school system with excessive administrative staff but shabby schools and low learning standards. Doesn't sound like a state I would like to join the union.

Open letter to the US Congress:

Dear Senator/Congressperson,

RE: S. 1257

DC is not trampling the US Constitution…
The US Constitution is trampling DC! And has been for over 200 years!

JUST and LEGITIMATE power derives from the CONSENT of the governed. Power exercised without consent (as is the case with the power the US Congress arrogates to itself over DC) is unjust … and illegitimate!

The US Congress (unfortunately) is not DC's Congress … DC has been shut out of the Congress, vote-less and voiceless, … FOR CENTURIES!

The US Courts (unfortunately) aren't DC's Courts … DC has had no opportunity to consent to either the LAWS or the JUDGES, … FOR CENTURIES.

The US Constitution (unfortunately) is not really even DC's Constitution … DC has had no say in the last 16 out of 27 Amendments, … FOR CENTURIES…

But … the US IS STILL the DC denizens' COUNTRY … Washington IS STILL the DC denizens' CITY…
and DC denizens are not going away!

DC denizens want to belong to the United States again, in the sense of being full members of the nation, and in the sense of participating as equals…

DC denizens DO NOT WANT to "belong" to the nation in the CURRENT sense, as chattel property!

Those Elected Officials who do not support the right of American citizens in good standing to vote … do not deserve to be Elected Officials! If you, Senator/Congressperson, can't support S.1257 or the equivalent, it is INCUMBENT on you as an Elected Official to propose a workable alternative, AND to get it implemented! Or else resign.

DC denizens seek only EQUALITY, ... nothing more. DC denizens will settle only for EQUALITY, ...
nothing less. It is their Inalienable (Innate, Inherent, Intrinsic) Right as American Citizens!

DC residents are not the last group of people to be taxed without representation. Resident aliens are taxed without representation too.

Wow... this is really big news. Would Bush actually sign it? The Utah part makes me think... maybe?

Why should DC get representation when it is nothing more than a tax dependency? If anyone in DC wants representation, they can move to Virginia or Maryland.