s/o Give DC back to Maryland?

[Anonymous]

No, NYC is not self-sustaining. It gets a ton of aid from New York State.

No, the City provides greater tax revenue to the state than it receives in turn. NYC is a cash cow for the state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not dumb at all. 650,000 people have no representation. That is an outrage. At the same time, I don't want to give 60 square miles 2 senators either.

Makes perfect sense. Maryland would move up to top 16 in population. Save tax dollars with more economies of scale.

Those 60 square miles have more people than Vermont or Wyoming, and they get two Senators.

I agree. It's time for proportional representation. 2 senators each represent Wyoming (584,000) and Vermont (626,000). Two senators represent California's population of 38 million. That's insanity.

It's a bicameral legislature.

Yes I understand there are two legislative chambers. D.C., with a population greater than Wyoming or Vermont, should have two senators.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

It's a bicameral legislature.

+1

CA's House delegation is 53 times larger than either VT's or WY's.

Yes, because House representation is based on population. And there are two senators from each state irrespective of population. Explain that math. How is that representative?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's a bicameral legislature.

+1

CA's House delegation is 53 times larger than either VT's or WY's.

Yes, because House representation is based on population. And there are two senators from each state irrespective of population. Explain that math. How is that representative?

You understand that there's a Senate and a House, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's a bicameral legislature.

+1

CA's House delegation is 53 times larger than either VT's or WY's.

Yes, because House representation is based on population. And there are two senators from each state irrespective of population. Explain that math. How is that representative?

You understand that there's a Senate and a House, right?

we know how the Constitution works, thanks. I think the PP's point, which I agree with, is that the founding fathers didn't think we would have states like California or Texas with 50X the population of the smaller states. Maybe I am wrong - maybe Virginia had 50X the population of Rhode Island? Doubt it. So no more 600K states, and if anything, we should carve up a North and South California as well ....

[Anonymous]

I certainly would be happy for DC to be part of Maryland. It's more important for me to have voting representation in Congress than it is for DC to be a state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not dumb at all. 650,000 people have no representation. That is an outrage. At the same time, I don't want to give 60 square miles 2 senators either.

Makes perfect sense. Maryland would move up to top 16 in population. Save tax dollars with more economies of scale.

Those 60 square miles have more people than Vermont or Wyoming, and they get two Senators.

No need to make another stupid mistake

It's hard to see DC being economically sustainable as a state, particularly if the level of direct federal payments were to drop. A direct commuter tax is a political non-starter. VT and WY are sustainable as states because they have relatively low concentrations of urban poor and can spread demand and funding for state services across a broader economic base. While DC has pockets of wealth, it needs to/chooses to provide social services at a high level (well, at least high cost level) to a substantial needy population. Moreover, if DC were to raise taxes on businesses in a short-sighted move, many trade associations, etc. would easily decamp to Rosslyn or Bethesda. Ask yourself for examples of other US cities that are basically self-sustaining with no broader state aid. There aren't any.

This is a bullshit argument. You don't get political representation based on how many poor people live in the area or whether you have corrupt politicians. Civil rights and liberties are not based on whether you and your fellow residents are good, financially secure people -- otherwise Louisiana and Illinois would have lost their Senators by now (corruption) and so would Mississippi (poverty).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

No, NYC is not self-sustaining. It gets a ton of aid from New York State.

No, the City provides greater tax revenue to the state than it receives in turn. NYC is a cash cow for the state.

And doesn't NYC have a commuter tax?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's a bicameral legislature.

+1

CA's House delegation is 53 times larger than either VT's or WY's.

Yes, because House representation is based on population. And there are two senators from each state irrespective of population. Explain that math. How is that representative?

You understand that there's a Senate and a House, right?

we know how the Constitution works, thanks. I think the PP's point, which I agree with, is that the founding fathers didn't think we would have states like California or Texas with 50X the population of the smaller states. Maybe I am wrong - maybe Virginia had 50X the population of Rhode Island? Doubt it. So no more 600K states, and if anything, we should carve up a North and South California as well ....

There are many regions and states that would like to be divided. But the process is such a long one, that it never happens. How easy should it be?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:DC and Md have different laws on a range of issues, from beer distribution to biking.

it's actually Montgomery County, not Maryland, that has the super crazy alcoholic beverage rules. And this Montgomery County native/resident would gladly welcome DC and give those up.

I am not referring to the ABC stores, which as you indicate are county specific. DC has more liberal laws on beer distribution than almost any state


http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com/blogs/youngandhungry/2011/04/06/a-bootleg-up-how-lax-import-regulations-made-d-c-a-craft-beer-haven/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

It's a bicameral legislature.

+1

CA's House delegation is 53 times larger than either VT's or WY's.

Yes, because House representation is based on population. And there are two senators from each state irrespective of population. Explain that math. How is that representative?

You understand that there's a Senate and a House, right?

we know how the Constitution works, thanks. I think the PP's point, which I agree with, is that the founding fathers didn't think we would have states like California or Texas with 50X the population of the smaller states. Maybe I am wrong - maybe Virginia had 50X the population of Rhode Island? Doubt it. So no more 600K states, and if anything, we should carve up a North and South California as well ....

There are many regions and states that would like to be divided. But the process is such a long one, that it never happens. How easy should it be?

There's actually a proposal to carve up California into six states, not just two. But it will never happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

No, NYC is not self-sustaining. It gets a ton of aid from New York State.

No, the City provides greater tax revenue to the state than it receives in turn. NYC is a cash cow for the state.

And doesn't NYC have a commuter tax?

Yes, it does.

[Anonymous]

I think that little piece of parchment called the constitution is going to get in your way... (both sides of the aisle will contest electoral college and congressional seat issues)

Besides Maryland has enough trouble as it is with its schools, welfare, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that little piece of parchment called the constitution is going to get in your way... (both sides of the aisle will contest electoral college and congressional seat issues)

Besides Maryland has enough trouble as it is with its schools, welfare, etc.

You're right - #3 out of 51 is just SO TERRIBLE.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/01/15/247-wall-st-states-best-schools/21388041/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think that little piece of parchment called the constitution is going to get in your way... (both sides of the aisle will contest electoral college and congressional seat issues)

Besides Maryland has enough trouble as it is with its schools, welfare, etc.

If retrocession* violates the constitution I want Alexandria and Arlington Cnty transferred back to Washington.

*Yes, somepart of DC would/must remain a federal enclave.