2010-02-05T05:36:59Z opencongress.org tag:opencongress.org,2007:/bill/comments/53422 2010-02-05T05:36:59Z tag:opencongress.org,2010-02-05:/comment/183828 mryanbrown Washington D.C. is not a state, nor shall it ever be. It was established as a territory for the states to conduct government. This means they have no right to a seat in government. And some may think I'm sporting an elite statist mentality. But the constitution is quite clear. I am sorry for those who live in D.C. and feel left out of the process of government. Move to a STATE. 2010-02-05T05:40:20Z tag:opencongress.org,2010-02-05:/comment/183831 mryanbrown How can a federal district, which is not a STATE be a member of the United STATES of America's government. And really, your only argument is that Lieberman said it's ok? These people should be fighting to not pay taxes to the government they will never be a party to. Not trying to destroy our constitution by granting a seat in government to something that isn't a STATE. 2009-08-31T15:59:28Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-08-31:/comment/122602 mkail666 If I lived in DC I'd rather fight for no taxation. 2009-02-26T10:45:22Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-02-26:/comment/91017 msouthard I'm opposed to this bill because it is clearly unconstitutional -- HOWEVER, seeing as Washington DC alone has a higher population than the entire state of Wyoming, I see no reason why it should not become the 51st State. If statehood is not the "ideal" solution, then the Constitution needs to be amended to allow one representative in the House and at LEAST one senator. No taxation without representation, period. 2010-04-19T12:55:28Z tag:opencongress.org,2010-04-19:/comment/193777 applemanmatt If DC was made an individual state, that would only benefits Democrats. The best thing to do is make DC part of Maryland, which is already one of the most blue states in the country, via a constitutional amendment. In other words, it's politically-neutral. I agree with no taxation w/o representation. 2009-09-22T18:37:01Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-09-22:/comment/129025 dankennedy73 For the sake of Constitutional law which unfortunately has been violated quite a lot recently, I have to agree with you on every count. 2010-04-27T14:07:47Z tag:opencongress.org,2010-04-27:/comment/194737 ConstConsv1990 This is a clear breach of the Constitution. DC is not one of the "several States," nor will it ever be. I cannot understand why the non-voting representative from DC can introduce a bill, nor how the Senate would pass this version. So what is next? Puerto Rico, Northern Marianas, Samoa, Guam, Virgin Islands? 2009-02-25T15:42:48Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-02-25:/comment/90770 jdelaney3 "...are any of you doing anything else?" Like what? I've already called my Senators' offices. 2009-08-04T08:13:49Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-08-04:/comment/116341 Herostratus People who live in DC, choose to live there. It is not a state, was never intended by our founding fathers to be a state. Very simply they don't have to live there, there are 50 Sovereign States in the United States of America that constitutional have representatives. 2009-02-26T06:04:08Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-02-26:/comment/90899 jdyoquelet What's next individual voting rights for all the big cities? Besides I thought that state of Maryland in which D.C. is located has representation, right? 2009-03-08T05:51:36Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-03-08:/comment/94204 MTPatriot AMEN. 2009-08-04T08:16:26Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-08-04:/comment/116342 Herostratus Messed up on the buttons there... Meant to reply: Meant to reply to this: Do you seriously believe that's true? The suburbs are expensive. I don't have a car. I work in the city. I can't just pick up and leave. How easy would it be for you to just pick up and leave your state if you decided you didn't like it? 2009-08-04T08:18:46Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-08-04:/comment/116343 Herostratus The fact that as a DC resident I have no say in the national affairs of the country, other than the token single electoral vote, makes a mockery of everything the US is supposed to stand for as a 'democracy' and defeats the entire point of the Constitution. The regulations as they currently stand were designed when DC was meant to be a collection of government buildings across the river from George Washington's plantation - where politicians would congregate during certain times of the year to discuss and vote, then go home (as they'd done in Philadelphia). It's completely different now that it's a major city with a full-time population (and even some of the politicians rarely go home). 2009-08-04T08:20:07Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-08-04:/comment/116345 Herostratus Those states wouldn't want the expense of a city with such a small tax base (as all the government buildings and non-profit entities don't pay taxes yet use quite a lot of infrastructure). It's also mostly a very poor city so income tax revenue is low. 2009-08-04T08:19:17Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-08-04:/comment/116344 Herostratus Add to that the right of Congress to overrule any law passed by the City Council and impose any law on the city that they see fit, the whole situation is no better than one would get in a totalitarian regime. We get Congress taking cheap shots at the city for political gain (blocking gun laws, budgets, drug policy, education, etc.) just to be able to tell constituents back home that they're 'tough' on these various issues without having to actually make hard decisions that would impact their constituents. DC wasn't even allowed to have a mayor until the 1960's. I do enjoy having 'Taxation Without Representation' on the license plates. 2009-03-29T06:50:11Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-03-29:/comment/99423 jdelaney3 Did S.Amdt. 591 (Durbin's amendment) pass? 2009-08-16T04:50:02Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-08-16:/comment/119440 poncharo85 my friend this bill is clearly unconstitutional,theres no way the District of columbial to have a representaion in the house. Its not a STATE, it wasn't build for that purpose. On the other hand utah is a state they may be overpopulated and may need representation for one mor district. 2009-06-15T21:09:51Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-06-15:/comment/109803 fellowamerican Please refer to Our Constitution; Preamble We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America. Section. 1. All legislative Powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress of the United States, which shall consist of a Senate and House of Representatives. 2009-06-15T21:11:48Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-06-15:/comment/109804 fellowamerican Section. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of Members chosen every second Year by the People of the several States, and the Electors in each State shall have the Qualifications requisite for Electors of the most numerous Branch of the State Legislature. 2009-06-15T21:13:08Z tag:opencongress.org,2009-06-15:/comment/109805 fellowamerican Section 8. 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, dock-Yards, and other needful Buildings. The District of Columbia, according to our Constitution, is the seat of our Government. It is not a state who needs representation in Congress or the Senate. The District is Congress and the Senate. How can Congress even consider this flagrant disregard of the Constitution with a vote! To Congress: PROTECT OUR CONSTITUTION!