DC voting rights clears the Senate

[akhhorus]

62-34

This was the biggest hurdle since it always died in the Senate(filibusters). Obama will sign it if it reaches his desk. To balance out the partisan consideration, this will give Utah a new general congressional seat. Thoughts?

[BurgundyNGold]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

62-34

This was the biggest hurdle since it always died in the Senate(filibusters). Obama will sign it if it reaches his desk. To balance out the partisan consideration, this will give Utah a new general congressional seat. Thoughts?

DC should get proportional votes in the House, if not the Senate. But, then again, so should Puerto Rico, Guam, et al.

[shally]

Originally Posted by akhhorus

62-34

This was the biggest hurdle since it always died in the Senate(filibusters). Obama will sign it if it reaches his desk. To balance out the partisan consideration, this will give Utah a new general congressional seat. Thoughts?

i have no problem with this.. as long as it doesnt lead to the district being declared a "state" and giving them 2 senators.. that would be an abomination

[BurgundyNGold]

Originally Posted by shally

i have no problem with this.. as long as it doesnt lead to the district being declared a "state" and giving them 2 senators.. that would be an abomination

If DC was given state's rights, the US should give the same options to all of her territories. Too bad we don't have the Canal Zone still.

[shally]

Originally Posted by BurgundyNGold

If DC was given state's rights, the US should give the same options to all of her territories. Too bad we don't have the Canal Zone still.

maybe we can ask hugo chavez to invade it for us and trade it back to us?

better still, now that the Dems are in control perhaps cuba can become our next state

[AliBabba]

does this mean i have to pay for new license plates?

[CNYSkinFan]

well I am for it. i think all territories should get a rep in congress too (voting that is). Senate no, but definitely the house.

I dont understand the whole need to balance it out with Utah but fine whatever.

[Ibleedburgundy]

well I am for it. i think all territories should get a rep in congress too (voting that is). Senate no, but definitely the house.

To clarify, are you saying all the territories combined together should get one congressman? I could go along with that. Otherwise I don't see why American Samoa (population 57000) should have equal voting rights in congress to DC (population 592,000). Even if you combine all the populations of all the territories together, it's still less than 500,000.

Originally Posted by CNYSkinFan

I dont understand the whole need to balance it out with Utah but fine whatever.

Neither do I. The mere notion suggests equal opportunity for future Republican victories is somehow on the level of importance with our nation's Democratic principles.

Although it's impossible to get worked up because (from what I read) Utah was going to get a seat as a result of the 2010 census anyway.

[BurgundyNGold]

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgundy

To clarify, are you saying all the territories combined together should get one congressman? I could go along with that. Otherwise I don't see why American Samoa (population 57000) should have equal voting rights in congress to DC (population 592,000). Even if you combine all the populations of all the territories together, it's still less than 500,000.

I think that the territories should get the number of seats in Congress that are commensurate to their populations, just like any state does. With a population of nearly 4M, Puerto Rico should get 5 seats, similar to Oregon. As for Guam, the US Virgin Islands and other territories with lesser concentrations of people, they should still get 1 seat by virtue of sovereign jurisdiction.

Short of that, each territory should get 1 seat regardless of population. If they want more, they can petition for statehood (I'm looking at you, Puerto Rico, lol).

[BRAVEONAWARPATH]

Originally Posted by shally

i have no problem with this.. as long as it doesnt lead to the district being declared a "state" and giving them 2 senators.. that would be an abomination

And just why would that be an "abomination"?

[Ibleedburgundy]

Originally Posted by BurgundyNGold

I think that the territories should get the number of seats in Congress that are commensurate to their populations, just like any state does. With a population of nearly 4M, Puerto Rico should get 5 seats, similar to Oregon. As for Guam, the US Virgin Islands and other territories with lesser concentrations of people, they should still get 1 seat by virtue of sovereign jurisdiction.

Short of that, each territory should get 1 seat regardless of population. If they want more, they can petition for statehood (I'm looking at you, Puerto Rico, lol).

ooops I left Puerto Rico out of my earlier numbers.

[BurgundyNGold]

Originally Posted by Ibleedburgundy

ooops I left Puerto Rico out of my earlier numbers.

Oh, and don't forget Canada. Technically, they've been a US territory since 1914.

[Ibleedburgundy]

Originally Posted by BRAVEONAWARPATH

And just why would that be an "abomination"?

Because the Democrats would have a supermajority lol.

[RedskinsDave]

Any group of people who repeatedly elect Marion Barry deserve no vote on the Hill. I am pretty sure the Constitution denies D.C. the right to a Congressman but we can let SCOTUS decide that one, ha ha.

[shally]

Originally Posted by BRAVEONAWARPATH

And just why would that be an "abomination"?

because they arent a f**** state !!!