Why DC Statehood Is a Terrible Idea
(RightWing.org) – On July 16, 1790, Washington, DC, became the only city established by the United States Constitution. Its singular purpose is to serve as the nation’s capital. However, in 2019, the Democratic-led House voted to make DC a state. Now, they promise to try and do it again if the Democrats sweep the House, Senate, and presidency in next month’s election.
Why is this issue important, and why does it keep coming up?
Democrats claim that the city’s 700,000 people are disenfranchised because they have no ties to a state. However, that argument falls flat when considering the purpose of the city.
The Purpose of Washington, DC
The nation’s capital was never intended to resemble a state or operate as one. The federal government is a sovereign entity. So is a state. Two sovereign powers cannot coexist within one another.
As such, the capital was created to ensure that a single state would never control the federal government, nor be under one’s influence or allegiance to a host state. The founders wanted to ensure that the federal government could never be blackmailed by a state who refused to take care of public safety, infrastructure, roads, or utilities.
What About Citizenship?
The question often comes up considering more people live in Washington, DC than in Wyoming. The District of Columbia was never meant to be a place where people live; it was dedicated as a place for representatives, senators, and their staff to congregate for short periods of time to get the work of government done. When completed, they would return home.
The location was determined because it wasn’t ideal for people to live. It was meant to be the home of the federal government, not three-quarters of a million people.
Legal Issues
Even if the Constitution were amended to make DC a state, there are serious legal issues to consider. The land used to establish the District of Columbia was ceded to the federal government by Maryland (Virginia was given back its land in 1846.) Therefore, the land belongs to Maryland if DC is declared a state.
Article IV of the US Constitution does not allow the creation of a new state from another’s land.
What’s This Really About?
There are two things at play. The first is the utter dislike for President Donald Trump. In June, Trump used his authority to protect the White House and federal property from mobs intent on destroying Lafayette Square. DC Mayor Muriel Bowser told Democrats she wanted statehood to expand her power and prevent the president from taking such actions.
The nation’s capital should not be dependent on a governor, legislature, or local official. It’s sovereign land that should remain so in order to protect it and provide for the nation’s governance.
Second, if DC became a state, it would add two seats to the Senate, who would almost certainly be Democrats.
If Democrats were serious about representation for its citizens, it would turn the land back over to Maryland, except for areas around Congress and the White House. Then, those citizens would have representation through a state, and the problem would be solved.
But that’s not what this is about.
It’s a power grab, it’s disingenuous, and it’s dangerous.
By Don Purdum, Freelance Contributor
The above opinions are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the publisher.
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