Saturday, 26 July, 2003

Retrocession for DC It was pointed out to me that one of my Brothers-in-Law had an Op-ed letter in last Sundays Outlook section of the Washington Post originating out of some pro bono work he does. It concerned a voting plan for getting the District of Columbia representation in Congress. Apparently there currently is a scheme about to allow a representative with full voting rights to come in with a new member from Utah. Such balanced ascension being the only way to swing this. Mr. Cacozza esq., father of my adored niece and nephew - Nicole and Lucas, offers a counter proposal which he believes to be less prejudicial to the ultimate goal of full statehood for the District. For those who have just rolled their eyes or allowed a stiff 'Hah'. to pass from them. I can only say that this set of rights and unity with the nation belong to the citizens of DC, regardless of how anyone feels about it. Al's counterproposal is that a congressional seat be created for Washington, but technically attached to the Maryland delegation. Similarly Washington residents would vote for Maryland's Senators. For the purposes of enfranchisement DC would be considered part of Maryland. For all other purposes DC would retain its status as a federal district. This plan is sound in that it mirrors and grounds what already occurs. First consideration in District matters nationally is already given to the regions representatives. This simply formalizes the portfolio, and allows the DCs residents to choose whose hand it is in. The Senatorial side of this equation is more problematic. It would stir up at least for a while the electoral strategies in Maryland. Politicians no less than businessmen and entrepreneurs desire to apportion and reduce risk and uncertainty. Maryland dynamics of farmers against Baltimore, mainland against eastern shore, and all against Washington's Suburbs would be thrown up in the air by this and it would take an elections cycle or two before anyone would know how things land. However involved, DC's population exceeds that of one state in the union and approaches that of several others; the legitimacy of the nations business must include its formal voice. 9:39:55 PM    comment [];

© Copyright 2003 Paul Bushmiller. Last update: 8/01/03; 01:37:02.