AP: Biden will not stop override of DC crime laws

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Simple solution here: put it on the ballot. My money is on this is not the will of the people of DC.

I’d love to see the following referendum on the future if DC:
1. Statehood: Taxation and Representation
2. Status Quo: Taxation and No Representation
3. Federal Capital: No Taxation and No Representation

I’ll take 3 for a great financial gain and better quality of life (less crimey with a chance of good schools).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Simple solution here: put it on the ballot. My money is on this is not the will of the people of DC.

I’d love to see the following referendum on the future if DC:
1. Statehood: Taxation and Representation
2. Status Quo: Taxation and No Representation
3. Federal Capital: No Taxation and No Representation

I’ll take 3 for a great financial gain and better quality of life (less crimey with a chance of good schools).

We could actually probably have #3. The Rs on the Hill would love to get rid of any tax. But the problem is actually the DC Democrats. Just ask them.

[Anonymous]

They’ll foam at the mouth but guess how they’ll vote in the privacy of the voter booth.

Has anyone ever laid out pros and cons of DC statehood? As a state, wouldn’t other states insist on the Federal institutions moving there and spreading that fed $? The only thing that reasonably would need to stay here for a while is the State Department (but to be honest, most Embassies would love to move to NYC anyway or did before the pandemic; they all already have consulates and UN missions there). What would happen to the city and its property values?

How quickly would DC risk becoming a failed state? Who would pay for the state service? How would we rebuild and find the judicial system (currently it’s federal)?

If people were smart, they’d insist on no taxation but formalizing the representation. There’s no law that says these two are linked.

This is a small city and it’s clear to me that the DC Council is not a serious governing body. It’s too unprofessional and without seemingly any ability to consider economic aspects of sound city management.

This is like Brexit to me. People yelled and screamed and had no idea what they voted for and regretted it ever since. The only fair thing to do is lay out the scenarios, educate the public and put not just statehood yes/no but also tax yes/no etc on the ballot again.

[Anonymous]

Who gets to vote in that referendum?

Looks like the DC Council celebrated prematurely and the Senate still has time to strike down their second bill too. I just can’t with the incompetence and arrogance.

https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/dcs-noncitizen-voting-bill-might-not-become-law-after-all/3289043/

[Anonymous]

Ds made zero progress on statehood when they had the presidency, the house, 60 senators, and a much more favorable SC. Yet some people think it’s a realistic prospect now? I don’t expect to see statehood in my lifetime. In my kids’ lifetime may be, but the Atlantic waves will probably be crashing on Hains Point by that time. If you folk want to spend your precious time talking about this, fine, but I’d rather indulge in fantasies that are a little bit more exotic.

[Anonymous]

I can’t believe Mendo wanted to pull the bill in the Senate. He’s being too bashful. He’s done something that no other has been able to do. He’s united Congressional Republicans, Democrats, and the president! He deserves his moment in the sun. And, I hope the crazy Connecticut Ave ANCs take a bow for this achievement as well. Bravo!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:They’ll foam at the mouth but guess how they’ll vote in the privacy of the voter booth.

Has anyone ever laid out pros and cons of DC statehood? As a state, wouldn’t other states insist on the Federal institutions moving there and spreading that fed $? The only thing that reasonably would need to stay here for a while is the State Department (but to be honest, most Embassies would love to move to NYC anyway or did before the pandemic; they all already have consulates and UN missions there). What would happen to the city and its property values?

How quickly would DC risk becoming a failed state? Who would pay for the state service? How would we rebuild and find the judicial system (currently it’s federal)?

If people were smart, they’d insist on no taxation but formalizing the representation. There’s no law that says these two are linked.

This is a small city and it’s clear to me that the DC Council is not a serious governing body. It’s too unprofessional and without seemingly any ability to consider economic aspects of sound city management.

This is like Brexit to me. People yelled and screamed and had no idea what they voted for and regretted it ever since. The only fair thing to do is lay out the scenarios, educate the public and put not just statehood yes/no but also tax yes/no etc on the ballot again.

Most federal workers are not in DC, just basically the HQ of each agency. And even then, many are in VA and MD. So that is already a thing.

[Anonymous]

The fallout from these legislative efforts is spectacular

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:They’ll foam at the mouth but guess how they’ll vote in the privacy of the voter booth.

Has anyone ever laid out pros and cons of DC statehood? As a state, wouldn’t other states insist on the Federal institutions moving there and spreading that fed $? The only thing that reasonably would need to stay here for a while is the State Department (but to be honest, most Embassies would love to move to NYC anyway or did before the pandemic; they all already have consulates and UN missions there). What would happen to the city and its property values?

How quickly would DC risk becoming a failed state? Who would pay for the state service? How would we rebuild and find the judicial system (currently it’s federal)?

If people were smart, they’d insist on no taxation but formalizing the representation. There’s no law that says these two are linked.

This is a small city and it’s clear to me that the DC Council is not a serious governing body. It’s too unprofessional and without seemingly any ability to consider economic aspects of sound city management.

This is like Brexit to me. People yelled and screamed and had no idea what they voted for and regretted it ever since. The only fair thing to do is lay out the scenarios, educate the public and put not just statehood yes/no but also tax yes/no etc on the ballot again.

Most federal workers are not in DC, just basically the HQ of each agency. And even then, many are in VA and MD. So that is already a thing.

I have a hard time imagining that the shrunk federal district with no loss and consequences will work out.

[Anonymous]

There’s actually a lot of parallels between this debacle and the Connecticut Ave bike lane issue. They both come up with some innocuous sounding title “Revised Criminal Code” or the “Connecticut Avenue Reversible Lane Operations and Safety Study” that sound reasonable. 99% of residents shrug their shoulders because it all sounds reasonable and don’t pay attention. Meanwhile outside money groups come in and stack the “hearings” with experts who don’t live in the city/ward. And the product that comes out the back end in no way reflects the original purpose.

[Anonymous]

Look I don’t know about you all but I think DC has just done such a great job in schools and crime and stuff that it’s just like a no brainer to make it a state and give its leader class more power

[Anonymous]

The DC Council is making it easier and easier for people to believe that the District has no business being a state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The DC Council is making it easier and easier for people to believe that the District has no business being a state.

Anyone who previously had doubts are now convinced that DC should not be a state.

[Anonymous]

By the standards everyone here is bandying about (good policies on schools, crime, etc.), about half the existing states also shouldn't be states.

I expect this sort of nonsense from members of Congress who have a vested interest in muddying the argument like this, but you'd sort of hope people who actually live here could separate out the question of "is it just and democratic that D.C. doesn't get to elect federal lawmakers who exercise control over D.C." from the question of "does the D.C. Council know what it's doing."

If you don't like what the D.C. Council is doing, instead of either (a) just complaining about it online or (b) hoping Congress will step in and make changes arbitrarily, you could always do something like get involved in local politics, organizing campaigns or running for office yourself.

[Anonymous]

You’re voting on pure emotion. With the well meaning adults in the room (not a Council affliction), there could be a compromise with less taxation and more representation.

But no we just are ploughing ahead claiming colonialism by our own country, and are going to pay the $2 billion per year cost b/c we “can”. But we can’t afford $50 million for a free bus.

And the source of $2 billion? Taxation, of who I wonder?

Seriously, let’s do less tax/more representation (like 1 voting Rep) and means tested basic income. DC will become a Monaco.