Statehood for Washington D.C.!

[New Dawn]

We need to finally give the people of Washington D.C. the same voting rights that everyone else enjoys. That means being able to vote for: two US senators, one member of the US house, a governor and a state legislature. No one can complain about its population size, because it is already larger than Wyoming. The new, incoming federal government has a firm majority and there is no reason for this not to happen.

[Poll_Blind]

1. I agree.

PB

[elleng]

2. THANKS! Would be nice

if we had something to say about what the Feds do (as they surround us!!!)

[TechBear_Seattle]

3. That would require amending the US Constitution

Article I, Section 8

The Congress shall have power ... To exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular states, and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States, and to exercise like authority over all places purchased by the consent of the legislature of the state in which the same shall be, for the erection of forts, magazines, arsenals, dockyards, and other needful buildings....

In short: it ain't gonna happen.

The Constitution strongly discourages permanent residency in DC, by virtue of the fact that it is explicitly declared NOT to be a state and therefore NOT entitled to the priviledges of statehood. Nothing obligates people to have their permanent residency in DC. If people don't like this, they can move to a state.

[leftofcool]

4. Won't happen. DC sits in 2 states

Would require tampering with our Constitution

[defendandprotect]

5. YES..!!!

[MasonJar]

6. They must have representation, if not as statehood (which is best)

then as part of Maryland or Virginia.

[torgos_pizza]

7. What about Puerto Rico?

Puerto Rico is long overdue for statehood- although I suspect right wingers will regard a Spanish speaking American island with hatred...

But Puerto Ricans deserve the ability to fully participate in the democratic process...