President Joe Biden is like the sheriff in a cowboy western. He rode into town to root out all of the corruption that had taken seed during the last four years of greed, grift, and grim days for all the country’s citizens. He has brought with him a posse of talented experienced people who went into their offices on day one and started churning out the good work that cements the foundation of an America we remember, one poised to leap back on top of the world. But there are some problems.
Washington DC is not a state, and that had particularly dreadful consequences during the January 6 insurrection. If the city had been a state, then the governor could have called out the National Guard and perhaps prevented some of the deaths and trauma that occurred with frontline Capitol police completely overwhelmed. Instead, the officials had to have the permission of two different top-level officials to gear up. But things are changing, and this just might be the right time to make DC the 51st state in this great nation.
Senator Tom Carper (D-DE) reintroduced the legislation that was designed to give Washington its statehood. That way its 700,000-plus citizens would have full representation in Congress and authority over their own local issues.
The city’s population is greater than that of Wyoming or Vermont which is yet another reason for it to gain statehood. Carper released a statement that read:
‘This isn’t a Republican or Democratic issue; it’s an American issue because the lack of fair representation for D.C. residents is clearly inconsistent with the values on which this country was founded.’
Republicans see the move as a maneuver to expand the Democrats’ reach. Those critical of the move refer to the 23rd Amendment. After all, it gives the city’s residents the right to vote in presidential elections.
Senate Democrats would have to have 10 Republicans to pass the bill. But if the Senate finally discards the antiquated filibuster, it would only take 50 Democrats plus Vice President Kamala Harris’ vote to make the change.
Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) called for the statehood vote after just shy of an hour before a weaponized mob attacked and took the Capitol Building. Even though the symbol of the nation’s democracy is right in the middle of the city, Mayor Bowser had to stand by helpless as the angry mob broke into the building and tore through its history:
‘Just like the millions of Americans who voted nationwide and the thousands who organized and voted in Georgia, we are ready to build a more perfect union – one in which all voices are heard.’
‘one in which we work together to uplift families in cities, and suburbs, and small towns, and one in which the 712,000 residents of Washington, DC have full access to our nation’s democracy.’
The Mueller Report Adventures: In Bite-Sizes on this Facebook page. These quick, two-minute reads interpret the report in normal English for busy people. Mueller Bite-Sizes uncovers what is essentially a compelling spy mystery. Interestingly enough, Mueller Bite-Sizes can be read in any order.
