Sunday, April 15, 2007

Washington, D.C. May Finally Get Representation

Washington, D.C., the capitol of the free world, has been without representation in Congress since the legislature. Taxation Without Representation. The capitol of this country has been experiencing the exact same injustice that we declared our independence over 230 years ago.

Now, this ridiculous failure by 109 former Congresses may finally be corrected.

On Monday, thousands are expected to march on the capitol, supporting a bill in the House demanding Congressional representation for Washington, D.C. Republicans, however, not wanting to freely give a seat to the Democrats, have hashed out a compromise with Democrats to also give another seat to Utah, as to reflect current population increases in that state. No additional seats would be created in the Senate, where two Senators from each state comprise the body. This bill would not make D.C. a state.

All I can say is it's about freakin' time Congress gives representation to these people. Residents of D.C. didn't get presidential voting rights until 1961, and the people there have always had to fight for these continual voting rights. D.C. has an estimated population of 582,049 (as of 2005); which, by Constitutional standards, would deserve 2 Congressmen. But one is much better than none.

It appears that our President, however, does not appear to support any bill giving Washington a seat in in the House. Bush had popular D.C. vanity plates removed from the Presidential limos which read "No Taxation Without Representation". Close aides to the President have also said that he would veto it.

Mr. President, if this bill JUST allowed for an additional seat in the House for Utah, would you veto it then? Or do you just dislike the idea of having Democrats having a voice in Congress? It's a two-way street, Mr. President.

This bill, when it is introduced, is likely to pass the House, but must also pass the stalemate Senate.

-Adam

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