I couldn't find many cartoons on the topic.

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

Just like all Americans, residents of DC
- Pay federal and local taxes
- Serve in the armed forces and make sacrifices in times of war
- Serve on juries to uphold federal laws and policies

Yet, DC residents are denied voting representation in the US Senate andthe US House of Representatives, and do not have complete autonomy overtheir own budget and local laws. Congress has the final say on DC's budget and laws.

In other words, residents of the District of Columbia have all the responsibilities of residents of states, but still cannot be represented in Congress. It is time to end taxation without representation.

Comments

[calysto.livejournal.com]

I've wondered about that...

it seems right and reasonable for them to have representation. absolutely.

But would they get two senators and a congressman? like rhode island?

is it big enough to warrant three representatives?

or would a special case be made... what manner of representation do you envision for DC?

[dubaiwalla.livejournal.com]

Much as I like the idea of DC getting representation, I rather doubt it's going to happen.

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

It may take a couple years. It needs to happen.

[dubaiwalla.livejournal.com]

The last time there was a push for a constitutional amendment, not enough states voted for it, and it died. I'm hard-pressed to see why this would be different now- and that's if this bill gets through the Senate and a presidential veto first.

The incentives for (enough) other states simply don't exist, but their share of votes in Congress would be diluted slightly. This would matter even more for representatives of red states who expect DC to stay blue forever.

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

If Wyoming is big enough to get three representatives, DC is too. I'm arguing for DC statehood more than simply representation in congress. But getting even one representative would be a baby step in the right direction.

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

And it shouldn't be that way. It shouldn't be about politics, it should be about the right to vote.

[calysto.livejournal.com]

good point.

[dubaiwalla.livejournal.com]

Sure. If only that weren't of frighteningly little practical consequence...

But hey, in the meanwhile I'm glad to see DC cartoons. Also, I'm not sure if enough people mention this, but you do a great job as a moderator, so keep it up!

[mystar2685.livejournal.com]

Somewhat OT, and probably ignorant, but...

DC's congresswoman on Colbert was awesome!

[shadowfox24.livejournal.com]

Can't they register as citizens of Maryland?

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

Why doesn't Rhode Island become part of Massachusetts?

[chrisfrap.livejournal.com]

hey!

Us Rhode Islanders have 2 Congressmen.

Stop being Ign't

[chrisfrap.livejournal.com]

Because they wear buckles on their HATS!

Puritan scum.

[calysto.livejournal.com]

I stand corrected.

or rather, I sit corrected.

[calysto.livejournal.com]

*snicker*

[theurv.livejournal.com]

I love you icon

[weswilson]

Interesting! I did not know they could do that... I hope that's true.

[weswilson]

My first instinct is that there is nothing wrong with having a "service" district in our nation... a place where there is no input into national politics. It's not like DC is huge and if you want to live in surrounding areas, your commute is no big deal. I think I'd support annexing DC into a surrounding state before I'd support creating congressional seats for it.

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

Did you know that the United States is the only democracy that doesn't allow residents of its capitol to vote?

[weswilson]

That's probably because the capital city of the United States isn't actually a CITY, like London or Paris... it's a district, specifically reserved for such behavior... in fact, I don't even end up thinking of DC as a city, I end up thinking of it as a giant marble workplace. I know there are people who live there, but I'm not inherantly opposed to a singular govermental service zone in our country. Is it true that DC residents can register to vote as Maryland citizens?

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

No, it is not true. If all the nongovernmental workers were to go on strike in the district, it would be completely shut down.

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

I'm pretty sure they can't.

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

Yeah.. it's sad that something that is a right to almost everybody else is being denied to residents of DC. This is why, despite having lived in the district for almost four years, I will always be a Michigan resident.

I'm glad to see you're pleased with the job I do. To be honest, I'm kind of a slacker in here, but I feel as if little moderation is the best moderation.

[weswilson]

Wait...above you said, "I'm pretty sure that's not true." But here you say it isn't. Do you know, or are you just guessing?

What does that second sentence have to do with what I put here?

[lyndz.livejournal.com]

The second sentence was about how DC is not a government-only district.

To my knowledge, it isn't true. I live in DC and have for almost four years, and I feel like if it were true, I would know about it. However, I have never even heard that before.

I do know that there is some talk about retrocession to Maryland which would supposedly solve this problem but there is generally very little support for this from residents of Maryland and DC.