51st state - Washington DC

[Dutch Uncle]

Why? DC isn't Maryland. It's its own thing. So what are you talking about?

Also, per the Constitution, changing existing borders on states requires 2/3 support in Congress and the House, plus a majority of the vote of MD and DC.

It ain't happening that way.

Statehood only requires a majority vote in the Senate and House if you're not changing the borders of existing states, and the DC Statehood bill has already passed the House.

I bet that the Democrats include DC and PR statehood in a new Voting Rights Act.

If the Democrats want to renege on the original deal then the honest thing to do is return the land to the states the ceded it. (Mostly Maryland)

https://washington.org/DC-information/washington-dc-history
President George Washington chose the exact site along the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers, and the city was officially founded in 1790 after both Maryland and Virginia ceded land to this new “district,” to be distinct and distinguished from the rest of the states.

 

[Mott the Hoople]

I'm against making it a 51st State. It's a fucked idea. If they want Senators and Reps, let them use Maryland's.

The Democrats want to turn it into TWO more Democrat Senators. What they don't realize is that, once a state, the dynamics change. The State would become Republican through gentrification and lobbyists. All the poorer residents will be forced out. Still, it's a stupid idea to make such a small area a state.

I'd rather divide California into Democrat and Republican halves.

Well that is going to be the issue as both DC and Puerto Rico lean Democratic (DC Heavily) so there would certainly be opposition from Congressional Republicans. However it only takes a Congressional simple majority to approve State Hood and given our history it is likely that both would achieve State Hood in all due time.

Besides the residents of DC do have a strong and valid Constitutional point. They are taxed without due representation in congress. Besides, political partisanship should not be an issue in determining Statehood....though obviously it is.

 

[LV426]

If the Democrats want to renege on the original deal then the honest thing to do is return the land to the states the ceded it.

That would require 2/3 of the vote in both chambers of Congress, plus majority vote in DC, MD, and VA, PLUS majority vote in the state legislatures of VA and MD.

So why would VA or MD agree to that? Because you want them to? Eat shit.

 

[Dutch Uncle]

it makes total sense

The State of Nevada has about 50% of it's territory administered by the federal government.

The District of Columbia could cede the Mall, Capitol Hill, the White House, and associated infrastructure to the federal government to operate as a federal district. There is no pressing reason that DC communities like Georgetown, Adams Morgan, and Anacostia need to be in a federal district.

It ultimately becomes a matter of fairness.

The Australian federal capital district of Canberra, and Brazil's federal district of Brasilia both receive full representation in their parliament and Congress, respectively

I believe the United States might be the only western democracy on the planet which does not give representation to citizens living in the nation's capital district.

Disagreed.

That point aside, I fail to see how Biden considers jamming two more Democratic Party Senators into Congress is "Unity". Furthermore, I predict that within 3-4 Senate elections, they'll become Republicans.


US Constitution Article IV, Section 3

"New States may be admitted by the Congress into this Union; but no new State shall be formed or erected within the Jurisdiction of any other State; nor any State be formed by the Junction of two or more States, or Parts of States, without the Consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned as well as of the Congress."

"The Congress shall have Power to dispose of and make all needful Rules and Regulations respecting the Territory or other Property belonging to the United States; and nothing in this Constitution shall be so construed as to Prejudice any Claims of the United States, or of any particular State."

 

[Underdog]

You're someone who comes on anonymous boards, lies about himself, and then pretends like he doesn't care.

I think you have mental issues.

That would require 2/3 support of Congress, PLUS majority support in DC, VA, and MD.

I bet that would be easy.

So it ain't happening.

you create a one party government in this great nation, you will destroy it. careful what you wish for.




More people live in DC than Wyoming. So maybe we swap? Wyoming can be the district with no representation, and DC can be the state.

That sounds fair to me.[/QUOTE]

 

[Phantasmal]

Why? Why make a city a state? Think of all the structures of government they'd have to tax and build? What is their industry? They'd quickly become the poorest state in the Union followed by becoming the richest state as Republicans and Corporate Lobbyists take over.

In 20 years, Washington DC would become the Whitest State in the Union. Whiter than North Dakota and a helluvva lot richer.

Most residents of Maryland and the District of Columbia do not support retrocession. ... That effort led to the 2016 Washington, D.C. statehood referendum and culminated in Bill H.R. 1, which included a nonbinding expression of support for statehood, passed 234 to 193 in March 2019.

Wikipedia › wiki › District_of_Colu...

[h=3]District of Columbia retrocession - Wikipedia

[/h]

 

[LV426]

I think you have mental issues.

So yesterday, you were pretending to be an IT computer expert.

Today, you pretended to be someone with an "advance degree" (WTF?) in Psychology.

 

[LV426]

I bet that would be easy.

It's funny you think that, knowing nothing about the politics of either state.

you create a one party government in this great nation, you will destroy it. careful what you wish for.

Yeah, we saw the effects of that the last 4 years, where a Republican-controlled government promptly plunged us into a recession and pandemic before trying to launch an insurrection to invalidate the 2020 election they lost in a landslide.

If Republicans want to compromise, great. If they don't, fuck 'em.

Biden extended the olive branch on Wednesday and McConnell promptly smacked that branch away Thursday morning.

Keeping a bunch of fascists around for the sake of a two-party system is more destructive to Democracy than one-party rule will ever be.

 

[LV426]

Most residents of Maryland and the District of Columbia do not support retrocession. ... That effort led to the 2016 Washington, D.C. statehood referendum and culminated in Bill H.R. 1, which included a nonbinding expression of support for statehood, passed 234 to 193 in March 2019.

Wikipedia › wiki › District_of_Colu...

[h=3]District of Columbia retrocession - Wikipedia

[/h]

Wait a second...YOU'RE SAYING THAT THEY ALREADY CONSIDERED DUTCH UNCLE'S DUMB IDEA AND REJECTED IT?

Does Dutch Uncle know about that?

 

[Ross Dolan]

On California or DC?

The only reason the Democrats want to make DC a state is to add two more Democratic Senators to the Senate. Sure, it'll work out that way initially, but because of that power involved, that would incentivize those with money to start moving into DC until it's a concentrated state of Big Money Republicans with huge mansions and no ghettoes.

Democrats are famous for building roads to Hell with good intentions. Consider the social dynamics involved in what you suggest.

Okay...stick with it. I concede your position will prevail...NOT BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT OR FAIRER...but because it has the advantage afforded it by the unfairness of the system as itnow stands.

No problemo.

My guess is the Republicans are collectively too stupid to use it to real advantage.

 

[Ross Dolan]

Agreed. Make them citizens of Maryland. Easy-Peasy.

Maryland was not the only state to give up land to the District.

 

[Ross Dolan]

Like I said. Either way .... we win. We come along for the ride and profit as much as anyone else if your way works, ...or....if the whole thing totally crashes and burns with D's in complete and total control then we are rid of you because you will literally not be able to push the blame off on anyone but yourself and your chosen leaders.

And like I said...you are on the wrong side...and unable to see it.

You backed a loser...an inciter to insurrection.

Your kind is a greater threat to our Republic than any foreign enemies.

 

[Dutch Uncle]

Well that is going to be the issue as both DC and Puerto Rico lean Democratic (DC Heavily) so there would certainly be opposition from Congressional Republicans. However it only takes a Congressional simple majority to approve State Hood and given our history it is likely that both would achieve State Hood in all due time.

Besides the residents of DC do have a strong and valid Constitutional point. They are taxed without due representation in congress. Besides, political partisanship should not be an issue in determining Statehood....though obviously it is.

Unity. LOL

 

[Dutch Uncle]

That would require 2/3 of the vote in both chambers of Congress, plus majority vote in DC, MD, and VA, PLUS majority vote in the state legislatures of VA and MD.

So why would VA or MD agree to that? Because you want them to? Eat shit.

If DC pays all the costs of their own state, where will the money come from? Would it be sustainable or would it quickly beat out Mississippi as the poorest state?

Given its proximity to Power, I predict that, if you get your wish, DC Senators will become Republican Senators in 3-4 elections as more rich Republicans and corporations gentrify the city and take control.

Be careful what you wish for.

 

[Dutch Uncle]

Maryland was not the only state to give up land to the District.

Correct. A little would go back to Virginia.

 

[Dutch Uncle]

Most residents of Maryland and the District of Columbia do not support retrocession. ... That effort led to the 2016 Washington, D.C. statehood referendum and culminated in Bill H.R. 1, which included a nonbinding expression of support for statehood, passed 234 to 193 in March 2019.

Wikipedia › wiki › District_of_Colu...

[h=3]District of Columbia retrocession - Wikipedia

[/h]

Let Biden, Schumer and Pelosi jam this plan to create two new Democratic Senators down the throats of all Americans in the name of Unity just like they want to pack the Supreme Court. I'd love to see the dance they do 'splaining how that is for "Unity".

 

[LV426]

If DC pays all the costs of their own state, where will the money come from?

What are you talking about? This is incoherent babble. Use your words.

Would it be sustainable or would it quickly beat out Mississippi as the poorest state?

You know, you can just Google "DC GDP" and find out for yourself.

So why won't you do that? Because sophistry is your style, laziness your dominant trait, and contempt for others your overriding theme.

But because I'm such a nice guy, I'll do that work for your lazy ass:

DC GDP in 2019: $492B

MS GDP in 2019: $116B

So is $116B > or < $492B? Be honest, I can tell when you're lying.

 

[LV426]

Given its proximity to Power, I predict that, if you get your wish, DC Senators will become Republican Senators in 3-4 elections as more rich Republicans and corporations gentrify the city and take control.

Maybe you don't realize the stupid shit you're saying, but the reason Virginia is now a reliably Blue state is because rich Democrats moved to the DC suburbs, and that movement turned the whole state blue. That dates back to 2008, by the way.

So in what world would Republicans move to Washington DC to flip it red when they've already lost Virginia (Blue, 2 Democratic Senators), Georgia (Blue, 2 Democratic Senators), and Arizona (Blue, 2 Democratic Senators) because of rich Democrats moving to those states and turning them blue?

Do you read the shit you write before you post it?

BTW - most Republicans aren't rich and don't have the mobility to just up and move to Washington DC en masse.

Republicans and corporations gentrify the city and take control.

Have you ever BEEN to Washington DC before in your life? Have you been there recently? I have. It's been gentrified for years. in fact, it was so overgentrified that people moved to the suburbs, and what's why Virginia is a Blue state today with 2 Democratic Senators and a Democratic governor + State Legislature.

 

[Dutch Uncle]

Okay...stick with it. I concede your position will prevail...NOT BECAUSE IT IS RIGHT OR FAIRER...but because it has the advantage afforded it by the unfairness of the system as itnow stands.

No problemo.

My guess is the Republicans are collectively too stupid to use it to real advantage.

Collectively, yes, but those with money and power have teams to advise them. The goal should be to give them less advantages, not more.

Who do you think is really pushing this? Why? We know what the brochure says, but has anyone done the math? Planned out how it would work, how it would operate? How things would change? Not that I have seen.

IMO, this is just a red meat rallying cry for the faithful like "Lock her up" and "MAGA". The actual results will be far different.

 

[Dutch Uncle]

Have you ever BEEN to Washington DC before in your life? Have you been there recently? I have. It's been gentrified for years. in fact, it was so overgentrified that people moved to the suburbs, and what's why Virginia is a Blue state today with 2 Democratic Senators and a Democratic governor + State Legislature.

Several times. Lived about an hour south of there for a year back in the day then have been to 10-12 annual weeklong meetings starting in the early 2000s.

How many times have you lived or visited there?

Yes there are some rich parts. What I'm saying is that all the poor parts will become gentrified with Republican and Corporate lobbyists to take advantage of the power play you are advocating.

Who do you think, over a period of 18 to 24 years would benefit the most from Washington DC statehood in the demographics listed below?

https://worldpopulationreview.com/us-cities/washington-dc-population
Washington Demographics
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Washington was:

Black or African American: 46.31%
White: 41.27%
Other race: 4.98%
Asian: 3.98%
Two or more races: 3.10%
Native American: 0.30%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.05%