A solution to the taxation without representation issue

[Anonymous]

The issue: DC residents pay federal income tax but have no voting representation in Congress.

Proposed solutions that have already been endlessly debated: DC statehood; giving all territories voting representatives; retrocession to Maryland; DC residents not paying federal taxes, etc.

My proposal: DC residents should continue paying federal income taxes (we don't want to turn the city into a tax haven), but the revenue should go into a special fund dedicated to improvements to the city. DC belongs to the entire nation, and it should be the best darn model of a city the nation can imagine. Roads, infrastructure, Metro, museums, law enforcement -- all should be repaired / improved to the highest standard. Smithsonian museums open until 9:00 or 10:00pm for locals to enjoy as much as tourists (especially since there are limited family friendly options in the city after the museums close). Money would also go to public health facilities, including re-establishing asylums for the mentally ill who are a danger to themselves and others. Once the country sees how effective a solution this is, the homeless population would drop dramatically.

What do you think? What changes would you make to DC if our taxes went into a dedicated capital improvement fund?

[Anonymous]

No. I want representation in congress, not extended hours at a museum.

[Anonymous]

Just give it back to Maryland and vote for Senators there, add one member to the House. It worked fine for the part of DC that came from, and was given back to VA.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just give it back to Maryland and vote for Senators there, add one member to the House. It worked fine for the part of DC that came from, and was given back to VA.

The only problem with this solution is that DC doesn't want it and Maryland doesn't want it. Other than that, great idea!

[Anonymous]

I live in VA and I assure you that "representation in Congress" is overrated.

[Anonymous]

Maryland doesn't want dc it has enough issues with Baltimore.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just give it back to Maryland and vote for Senators there, add one member to the House. It worked fine for the part of DC that came from, and was given back to VA.

Retrocession!!! Please!!!

That or give DC back the retrocession part to Virginia so that we get our diamond shape back. If we get the NoVa part back then we talk statehood, until then, retrocession to MD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The issue: DC residents pay federal income tax but have no voting representation in Congress.

Proposed solutions that have already been endlessly debated: DC statehood; giving all territories voting representatives; retrocession to Maryland; DC residents not paying federal taxes, etc.

My proposal: DC residents should continue paying federal income taxes (we don't want to turn the city into a tax haven), but the revenue should go into a special fund dedicated to improvements to the city. DC belongs to the entire nation, and it should be the best darn model of a city the nation can imagine. Roads, infrastructure, Metro, museums, law enforcement -- all should be repaired / improved to the highest standard. Smithsonian museums open until 9:00 or 10:00pm for locals to enjoy as much as tourists (especially since there are limited family friendly options in the city after the museums close). Money would also go to public health facilities, including re-establishing asylums for the mentally ill who are a danger to themselves and others. Once the country sees how effective a solution this is, the homeless population would drop dramatically.

What do you think? What changes would you make to DC if our taxes went into a dedicated capital improvement fund?

Why do we even have to pay federal taxes at all? Other territories without representation don’t.

[Anonymous]

You should be able to pick any state and use that for voting purposes.

[Anonymous]

I would rather stop paying federal taxes than become a state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would rather stop paying federal taxes than become a state.

If that happens, I'm buying as much property as possible. DC will have land prices on par with Monaco. Every rich person and company in the country will want to own property here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maryland doesn't want dc it has enough issues with Baltimore.

It's an anonymous board. You can say the quiet pay out loud. Then maybe you can work through why you feel that way. It's not healthy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No. I want representation in congress, not extended hours at a museum.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Maryland doesn't want dc it has enough issues with Baltimore.

It's an anonymous board. You can say the quiet pay out loud. Then maybe you can work through why you feel that way. It's not healthy.

That's a pretty universally held sentiment, PP, but not for the reason you're suggesting.

[Anonymous]

If Congress isn't going to give DC an elected representative who can vote, why would it give up tax revenue paid by DC residents? DC pays a lot because salaries are so high here.