Way to go, Senate!

So, for once, the United States Senate finally got around to doing something good. Today, they voted to allow the District of Columbia to have a full voting member in the House of Representatives. To balance this DC vote, Utah will also be given a Representative; currently, they have three.

So, having lived in DC for three years now, been a resident for two and a half of those, paid my DC taxes faithfully, and even worked for NO MONEY for both the DC government and the federal government, you can imagine how happy I was when I heard that I finally got a voice in Congress. However, I then made the stupid mistake of reading the comments to the CNN post.

Let's just settle something once and for all - it is by no means clear that giving DC a voice in Congress without a Constitutional amendment is by any means unconstitutional. Yes, the Constitution says that each of the states shall have representation. However, when the federal city was planned, no one was ever supposed to live in DC - the Founding Fathers never foresaw this problem (and gee, isn't that a new story?) But, as any good lawyer knows, the Constitution is open for interpretation - just look at how much work we get out of the First and Second Amendments, and they seem pretty clear on their face. "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech." Pretty straightforward, right? You'd be surprised.

So, just because DC is not officially a state, I do not think that ends the discussion. Besides the fact that the ENTIRE Constitution is about fair and equal representation should weigh somewhat against ONE word, right? At least enough for people to admit that this is not an open-and-shut, cut and dry case.

Additionally, I am incredibly annoyed by the people who just assume that it is unreasonable for DC residents to want rights, and scream, "move to Maryland if you want a voice." Should they have to move half an hour away from where they work? No, and no one is asking them to. But because we live somewhere that Doesn't have the Primary Right we fought a revolution (or two) for, we should have to commute? Ridiculous, I tell you.

And I also say in response, if you don't wanna give us a vote, FINE, but then give me back my money. America is fine with us paying taxes, and being eligible for the draft, but god forbid we have someone in Congress who can actually add to the conversations about where that tax money is spent and where our soldiers go to fight and die. Oh, and one more thing - Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico don't pay federal taxes like income tax. Sure, they pay Social Security and Medicare, but they also benefit from those programs. The District of Columbia is the ONLY area of land where US citizens pay taxes and yet are not represented in their government.

So, I say, congratulations, Senate, on finally doing the right thing. I was a little worried about you for a bit, and I still think you don't do nearly enough work to warrant those nice offices and big pay checks (especially compared to your colleagues on the other side of the Dome), but today, at least, you did good. So thanks!