Saturday, June 27, 2020

WASHINGTON, DOUGLASS COMMONWEALTH: GET USED TO IT!

Well, the House of Representatives did it!  They voted yesterday to create the state of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, leaving a smaller federal district containing the core of downtown federal buildings.  This is a hugely historic event, marking a level of acceptance even by the national Democratic party that we’ve never seen before. (The only Democrat who opposed was Rep. Collin Peterson of Minnesota - https://collinpeterson.house.gov/about-me/full-biography - whose biography doesn’t explain why he opposes democracy.)

Okay, we all know that in spite of all the arguments about our paying more taxes per capita than any state, having a larger population than two states, etc., etc., the current Senate will never take up this bill.  (We'll see about the future Senate!)  Nevertheless – nevertheless – THIS IS HUGE! 

I do not always agree with our mayor, but I have to say her statement yesterday, in today's Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/dc-politics/dc-statehood-vote/2020/06/25/c2ac1670-b6ee-11ea-a8da-693df3d7674a_story.html), is one I think we all can share: “ ‘Power concedes nothing without a demand. And statehood is our demand,’ the fifth-generation Washingtonian said in a statement, referencing a famous quote from abolitionist and onetime D.C. resident Frederick Douglass. She added: “I was born without representation, but I swear — I will not die without representation. Together, we will achieve DC statehood, and when we do, we will look back on this day and remember all who stood with us on the right side of history.’ “

 Amen.


2 comments:

  1. Carol, Brilliantly written. Oh to be able to listen more and ask questions!!! Bravo.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thanks for the comment! You can read about our progress at https://www.dcvote.org/about-dc-vote - and there may be more next year!

    ReplyDelete

Agree? Disagree? Have more to say? Comment here!