No taxation without representation...except for DC

MattUMASSD · #1 06-23-2004, 12:25 PM

"We condemn the Chinese for yanking democratic rights in Hong Kong. We're spending billions to try to establish democracy in Baghdad. . . . It is crystal clear, to me at least, that the capital of the free world ought to have a vote in Congress," said Davis, a 55-year-old House leader who has oversight of the District and federal government operations and who chaired the GOP majority's 2000 and 2002 election efforts."

This is a qoute from an article in the Washington Post about how there is a bill on the floor that would give DC voting priviliges in Congress. Currently we have a Delegate in the house. She can vote in committee but not on the floor.

In 2002 DC had 571,000 residents which is more than the state of Wyoming, which has a population of 499,000.

Theres talk of having DC residents vote for Senators and Congressman in Maryland, Maryland strongly opposes this.

here is a link to the article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...2004Jun22.html

PhiPsiRuss · #2 06-23-2004, 01:57 PM

D.C. originally was formed by land from Maryland and Virginia. The Virginia land went back to Virginia. If its that important to give D.C. residents representation, cede the land back to Maryland, and they'll be able to vote in statewide elections, and they'll get 1 representative.

Granting statehood to every 571,000 person entity (less than the size of a congressional district) that wants it is absurd. With that line of reasoning, New York City could become a dozen states.

MattUMASSD · #3 06-23-2004, 02:09 PM

I would be happy with our Delegate becoming Congresswoman and being allowed to vote on the floor. Getting 2 senators would be ideal, but would not happen.

Quote:

D.C. originally was formed by land from Maryland and Virginia. The Virginia land went back to Virginia. If its that important to give D.C. residents representation, cede the land back to Maryland, and they'll be able to vote in statewide elections, and they'll get 1 representative.

That would never happen. But IMO everyone should be represented by voting power in the legislature, and its really unfair that half a million people arent. I know that DC residents could move to a state if they dont like it, but why should you have to? Whats th big deal?

aephi alum · #4 06-23-2004, 02:24 PM

DC's license plates say "Taxation Without Representation"

DC should have at least some voting power in the legislature (i.e. more than they have now - a delegate who can't vote on the floor).

Senusret I · #5 06-23-2004, 09:06 PM

Thanks for the link, Matt.

Maryland doesn't want us and we don't want Maryland.

We deserve to be a state.

Senusret I · #6 02-22-2006, 05:11 PM

http://about.dc.gov/statehood.asp

Just like all Americans, residents of Washington, DC:

# pay federal and local taxes;
# serve in the armed forces and make sacrifices in times of war and conflict;
# serve on juries to uphold federal laws and policies.

Yet, DC residents are denied voting representation in the US Senate and the US House of Representatives, and do not have complete autonomy over their own budget and local laws. The Congress - representing everyone except DC residents - has the final say on DC's budget and laws.

DC elects a Delegate to the House of Representatives who can vote in committee and draft legislation, but does not have full voting rights. The current Delegate is Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton.

http://about.dc.gov/statehood.asp

alum · #7 02-22-2006, 07:31 PM

DC high school (public or private) are granted in-state status at ANY public university college in the country. Obviously a major tuition benefit, but also a big asset for the admissions process itself.

AnotherKD · #8 04-23-2010, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alum

DC high school (public or private) are granted in-state status at ANY public university college in the country. Obviously a major tuition benefit, but also a big asset for the admissions process itself.

AWESOME. Oh, wait. I forgot... tuition to some private schools in DC (i.e. St Alban's) run about $32k/year for elementary school. And does anyone else in DC remember when Michelle Rhee was brought in as Chief Superintendent, and they did stories about how the DC Public School System was doing? There were reports out there saying that there were 8th graders that couldn't fully read. Public Schools, and even some Charter Schools, are also infested with gangs that start recruiting children as young as age 8. Forgive me, but cheaper college tuition is not worth it to me. We're moving out of DC when we have kids.

I can bitch about taxes as much as anyone else, but the real issue now is the gun amendment and also the extra seat that would be added to Utah. Eleanor Holmes Norton says that she's not done with the fight, but it's not going to change while I'm here. DC is too much of a transient town and is just a stop for a lot of people on their way to somewhere else. I'm not sure if they'll get a population of stable homeowners that really care about the issue and will be willing to fight a long battle for a vote. Sad, but I think it's kinda true.

AOII Angel · #9 04-23-2010, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherKD

AWESOME. Oh, wait. I forgot... tuition to some private schools in DC (i.e. St Alban's) run about $32k/year for elementary school. And does anyone else in DC remember when Michelle Rhee was brought in as Chief Superintendent, and they did stories about how the DC Public School System was doing? There were reports out there saying that there were 8th graders that couldn't fully read. Public Schools, and even some Charter Schools, are also infested with gangs that start recruiting children as young as age 8. Forgive me, but cheaper college tuition is not worth it to me. We're moving out of DC when we have kids.

I can bitch about taxes as much as anyone else, but the real issue now is the gun amendment and also the extra seat that would be added to Utah. Eleanor Holmes Norton says that she's not done with the fight, but it's not going to change while I'm here. DC is too much of a transient town and is just a stop for a lot of people on their way to somewhere else. I'm not sure if they'll get a population of stable homeowners that really care about the issue and will be willing to fight a long battle for a vote. Sad, but I think it's kinda true.

Do you think more people would be willing to stay if this were different? I know I was considering moving to DC recently before I got my job in Arizona. It was a very difficult decision to make whether or not to live in the district or in a suburb. For families, it's a no brainer. For my husband and I, we thought that for at least a short while, the benefits of being in the city made up for the lack of representation. For the long haul, however, I don't know how I'd feel.

MysticCat · #10 04-23-2010, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alum

DC high school (public or private) are granted in-state status at ANY public university college in the country. Obviously a major tuition benefit, but also a big asset for the admissions process itself.

Not quite. As I understand it, DC residents can apply for grants of up to $10,000 to cover the difference between in-state tuition and out-of-state tuition. A grant is not guaranteed, and only those enrolled in courses of study for a first bachelor's degree are eligible.

Senusret I · #11 04-23-2010, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnotherKD

AWESOME. Oh, wait. I forgot... tuition to some private schools in DC (i.e. St Alban's) run about $32k/year for elementary school. And does anyone else in DC remember when Michelle Rhee was brought in as Chief Superintendent, and they did stories about how the DC Public School System was doing? There were reports out there saying that there were 8th graders that couldn't fully read. Public Schools, and even some Charter Schools, are also infested with gangs that start recruiting children as young as age 8. Forgive me, but cheaper college tuition is not worth it to me. We're moving out of DC when we have kids.

I can bitch about taxes as much as anyone else, but the real issue now is the gun amendment and also the extra seat that would be added to Utah. Eleanor Holmes Norton says that she's not done with the fight, but it's not going to change while I'm here. DC is too much of a transient town and is just a stop for a lot of people on their way to somewhere else. I'm not sure if they'll get a population of stable homeowners that really care about the issue and will be willing to fight a long battle for a vote. Sad, but I think it's kinda true.

Wow.

Senusret I · #12 02-22-2006, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alum
DC high school (public or private) are granted in-state status at ANY public university college in the country. Obviously a major tuition benefit, but also a big asset for the admissions process itself.

And I would trade that in for Statehood.

jhujenn · #13 02-22-2006, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by alum
DC high school (public or private) are granted in-state status at ANY public university college in the country. Obviously a major tuition benefit, but also a big asset for the admissions process itself.

It was my understanding DC high school students are granted in-state status for tuition purposes only and not for the priority ranking in-state students receive. Also DC's only public college still isn't accredited is it. So if DC residents were to stay in town for college they would have to pay private tuition rates.

Senusret I · #14 02-22-2006, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jhujenn
It was my understanding DC high school students are granted in-state status for tuition purposes only and not for the priority ranking in-state students receive. Also DC's only public college still isn't accredited is it. So if DC residents were to stay in town for college they would have to pay private tuition rates.

Tuition purposes only, true.

The University of the District of Columbia is accredited by Middle States. But it's nothing like the SUNY system, University of Maryland, or other public universities. It is relatively new, after the merger of three smaller schools. And it's really just not competitive.

aabby757 · #15 02-22-2006, 10:34 PM

The Republican party would NEVER in a million years never ever grant them statehood. I realize it's not their decision but the republicans would never let them happen. Because the second they become a state, they would get 2 sentors and however many congressmen and all of them most likely would be democrats. And then democrats would win majority of the house and the senate. And it would probably stay that way for a long long time. I believe something like 97% of all registered DC voters are democrats. The republicans wouldn't stand a chance.

And, I feel, that DC is in such bad shape for many reasons that them not having help from the federal government and them being a state, they would never be able to take care of themselves if they were a state.