The fight for America's 51st state, explained

Washington, DC is closer than ever to becoming a state. Could it actually happen?
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On June 26, 2020, the US House of Representatives voted to make America’s capital city, Washington, DC, the country’s 51st state. It was a historic vote, and the closest the country has come to adding a new state in over 60 years. But it was also, for the time being, completely symbolic. Because at least in 2020, DC has no chance of actually becoming a state.
That June 26 vote was almost entirely along party lines; Democrats mostly voted in favor of DC statehood, and Republicans against it. That’s because making DC a state would give the Democrats additional seats in Congress, potentially affecting the balance of power between the parties. It’s why President Trump and the Republican-controlled Senate have both promised to strike down any bid for DC statehood. And in fact, statehood in the US has always been a political issue. In the past, the US has often added states in pairs to preserve the political balance. Admitting a new state on its own has happened, but it’s unusual.
But the case for DC statehood is strong: The city has a similar population to several states, its hundreds of thousands of residents lack any say in national lawmaking, and its local government is uniquely vulnerable to being strong-armed by Congress and the federal government. Simply put, the laws that created the district did not anticipate that it would one day be a major city. And while in 1993, the last time Congress voted on DC statehood, the Democratic-controlled House failed to pass it, today’s Democratic Party is increasingly on board with it. If 2020’s election puts the Democrats in full control of the federal government, America might actually get its 51st state.
Further reading:
More on how the US has added new states in the past:
www.vox.com/the-highlight/201...
What it would take for DC to become a state:
www.vox.com/2020/6/22/2129316...
How Congress has interfered with DC:
www.dcvote.org/ending-congres...
And a history of why the idea of a federal district is written in the constitution:
www.nationalgeographic.com/hi...
Note: The headline on this piece has been updated.
Previous headline: Why Washington, DC isn't a state
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[@tantecosenelmondo2350]

"A city cannot be a State". - Vatican city has left the chat.

[@avimohan6594]

In fact, the Vatican is a "city" *within* a city (Rome).

[@jansojele289]

San Marino lol

[@marbleman2278]

Rip monaco

[@samsmith92samsmith]

Vatican city isn't a helpful example, I think. It's entire economy consists of fees to enter museum and the sale of postage stamps. It doesn't have even permanent population.

[@SKULLY-qm8zk]

Laughs in 19 sentry Germany

[@Nick-kz6dg]

"Washington DC is a city not a state" Then the concept of city-states will blow his mind.

[@WASD-1]

Like Berlin in Germany, it's the capital and a city state

[@binbin6878]

@Elijah Edric Guinto how about vatican lol

[@pijuskri]

@Lovecraft It's DC resident's decision, and i think its clear they want statehood

[@moonlightyong1924]

@@n.m.8802 I remembered last year I stumbled across some forum where people were arguing whether Singapore should be considered a country or not cause we're "too small" xD

[@elijahdale4546]

@Lovecraft except, maryland doesn't want it...

[@lillyie]

"Taxation without representation" Isn't this the reason americans rebelled against british rule in the first place

[@Sillge0]

Yes

[@oonanas6507]

Lol

[@iVince905]

Yes. Giving it more reason for it to be a state. The 600,000 residents of Washington, DC pay federal taxes with no representation.

[@kevray]

Ironic

[@delighteddino9363]

@Non Filios Tuos Videbis Vacillantes well then how do you plan on representing them with the VOTE, they need to be able to VOTE on the issues that affect them

[@sandeesandwich2180]

Something really perverse about a rep from Arizona stating that "the founding fathers didn't want DC to be a state." The founding fathers never imagined Arizona as a state either.

[@1000rogueleader]

Except the founding fathers clearly didn't want it to be a state, because if they did, they would have made it one. Meanwhile, they created provisions in the constitution for new states like Arizona to join the union. So they clearly imagined that the U.S. would add new states, even if they didn't know which ones, but also clearly meant for DC to remain a capital territory.

[@ryanpushkarna858]

@@1000rogueleader they also said “taxation without representation is tyranny”. DC pays federal taxes.

[@Bravo-gw8th]

@@1000rogueleader also the founding fathers didn't want you you vote. Any woman to vote, nor any non white to vote. Also did I mention You? They don't think you were capable of voting. Just letting you know.

[@basicallyalandershowitz]

@@ryanpushkarna858 yeah and they also explicitly said dc can't be a state. So what's your point?

[@ryanpushkarna858]

@@basicallyalandershowitz seeing as they are contradicting themselves, either don't listen to people 300 years ago who dont understand the current situation, or stop taxing them federally and give them semi auto status, with their own legislation and stuff.

[@siewkitlee4191]

"Washington DC is a city, not a state" *laughs in Singapore* (an island, a country, and a city)

[@liam-man7265]

Singapore is tiny, yet so diverse. I like it! 🇸🇬

[@jacktapman5293]

Laughs in Morocco, Vatican City, and every other city nation

[@Master_Fortune]

@@jacktapman5293 Did you mean Monaco?

[@johannesdahn3039]

!!! We have several (federal) states which also happen to be cities here in Germany (Bremen, Hamburg and also Berlin).

[@liam-man7265]

Master Fortune I think he **did** mean to say “Monaco” instead of “Morocco”. In reality, Morocco is much larger in area, as it is slightly larger than the U.S. state of Texas. I’ve found that the three nations of Morocco, Monaco, and Montenegro all sound very alike, and each of these nations within Africa and Europe lie relatively close to the Mediterranean Sea. I understand the confusion here. They even have the color red in each of their flags (Morocco, Monaco, and Montenegro from left to right respectively): 🇲🇦🇲🇨🇲🇪

[@whitneyhuskins3677]

"The founding fathers didn't want DC to be a state." The founding fathers also didnt want there to be party lines (Democrat and Republican) because they saw our current situation hundreds of years ago. We are divided and they never wanted this for us. "A house divided against itself cannot stand." - Abraham Lincoln on slavery. And yet here we are. Our country is just about as divided as it can get.

[@michaelmartinez9151]

marshall branin dude if you still want there advice I’m assuming your slow

[@ricardobarahona3939]

I never understood the party argument people use. Every country has parties and party politics.

[@whitneyhuskins3677]

@Nathan Foster I do vote. Every single election year. They didn't want parties because they knew it would be divisive for our country. History does tend to repeat itself and they learned from watching other countries have parties.

[@whitneyhuskins3677]

@@ricardobarahona3939 read my reply to nathan.

[@LzysGraphics]

Abraham Lincoln's quote wasn't warning against a divided country through two parties, he was already living through it. Better person to quote would probably be Washington.

[@Azulmine]

“Dc shouldn’t get a vote because it’s not a state” “Then make us a state” “No”

[@christiansoldier77]

Azulmine Nobody in DC wants to become a state . This is just another trick by democrats to gain more power

[@mason_yt444]

@@christiansoldier77 A statehood referendum was voted on by DC citizens in 2016 and resulted in 78% in favor of statehood. You can literally check the 2016 general election archive. Took me just a couple minutes to find.

[@christiansoldier77]

@@mason_yt444 Yes but it is all a scheme cooked up by Democrats. DC has been around 240 years but now all of a sudden they must become a state ??? USE YOUR BRAIN

[@vicomojola44]

@@christiansoldier77 bro use yours 😭😭

[@barvdw]

@@christiansoldier77 it's not as if this is a new issue, it has been for decades. Yes, they feel more left out when it's a Republican government, which isn't unlogical, they haven't voted Republican ever in their history, while the federal government is running their lives. I can understand why you want a 'neutral' federal territory, but their population deserves representation as well. At the very least, Home Rule that doesn't get overruled by a hostile federal government, the population getting the same benefits as the other citizens, and giving voting rights for their House Representative, and the citizens perhaps voting rights in another state. Simply ignoring the people living in DC is not a good strategy.

[@ZaibatsuHeavyIndustries]

DC and Puerto Rico: want to become states Georgia: we will decide your fate.

[@heitorfuzii7398]

Joe Manchin wont vote for it

[@enbrat5859]

A Georgian here! If my dreams come true they’ll be states!

[@raulespinoza8411]

@Aarush Walia really I think he said no

[@prisonmike4749]

@Aarush Walia he only said he'd vote for Puerto Rico

[@PremierCCGuyMMXVI]

Hopefully democrats win Georgia sadly I doubt it

[@avhinarsh6447]

Washington DC is the most state-like non-state.

[@Novaerian]

A fellow grey fan perhaps?

[@javiermandujano4835]

Puerto Rico ?

[@TBH_Inc]

Puerto Rico has way more people then Washington D.C. and it actually has the land of a state as well. Puerto Rico is like a state, Washington DC is a city that doesn’t belong to any state (for somewhat good reasons; does that outweighs taxation without representation, idk that’s not my job but there are good reasons)

[@samooo6664]

I disagree... In my opinion Puerto Rico is way more state-like.

[@PremierCCGuyMMXVI]

Puerto Rico: am I a joke to you?

[@CptnJCFG]

I like the idea that "the founding fathers didn't intend for x" hey they didn't intend for a lot of things in 1776. But times change and humans adapt.

[@moulion]

If their models never changed, we would still be living with slaves... Actually, maybe that's why Republicans keep making this argument...

[@johnkesich8696]

"times change and humans adapt" Apparently not some dirt bag politicians.

[@malksmogendavid4470]

whhat do u know republlicans are conservatives

[@kris5885]

They also didn’t intend for women and black people to vote lol

[@woodahooda5973]

The founding fathers didn't intend for slaves to be viewed as people. Let's see them defend that.

[@riceouioui593]

“Why don’t we just take the capital, and push it somewhere else!”

[@hahahahano3937]

I love you now.

[@rajnadar6555]

Into the Potomac river.

[@rajnadar6555]

@Anime Hitler The Potomac is in DC so it will be easier to throw it there rather than the Atlantic.

[@ARandomSpace]

*mad indonesian noises* Instead of fixing problems, they decide to go away. This is madness. I'm not asking for perfection, I'm asking for something without major flaws.

[@mrraymartinez]

😂 let’s put it in Washington state. Where everyone already thinks it is.

[@Pzacutter]

“The founding fathers did not intend for Washington DC to be a state” The founding fathers did not intend for minority’s to have rights either

[@Xpistos510]

This isn't a good comparison. Most of what the Founders wanted with regards to legal/Constitutional issues have merit. Some of their private/political/philosophical views are indeed antiquated, but when something is Constitutional it becomes law. To say that we should disregard the Constitution solely because the Founders had some bad antiquated ideas, is dangerous for a Republic (or a democracy that values the rule of law). The District of Columbia should NOT become a state because the Constitution makes it improper and therefore illegal for the nation's capital to be a state. D.C. would not exist but for this very fact, so making it a state negates the reason for its very existence. I'm a big fan of changing SOME of the Constitution via the Amendment process, but until then, respecting the enumerated powers is very important.

[@Xpistos510]

Side note: it's still debatable as to just how racist the Founders actually were, to what extent, and which ones. Most had slaves, yes, but there's some reason to believe that many of the Founders actually recognized that at some point slavery would eventually have to come to an end. They were very forward-thinking for their time.

[@theoneandonlyrY]

@EmperorKleetorisTheCuckolder why should DC be its own state? Couldn’t residential areas of DC be ceded to Maryland?

[@lemickey2835]

You’re comparing a city to a person

[@lemickey2835]

@Mami Makala DC isn't supposed to be a state that's the end of it.

[@jopa1328]

"there is not manufacturing, mining or logging industry in DC", because we all know those are the only 3 industries in America lol

[@randommonkey4900]

Ikr

[@samsmith92samsmith]

Besides, in a city of 700,000 people there's surely to be at least one factory manufacturing something.

[@Oweniee21]

Sam ~ No they are all just politicians lol

[@kiteskingdom6137]

D.C has tourism but according to republicans that is not an industry

[@LaYziELoC7]

*Looks at Monaco for mining,logging and manufacturing* nope

[@nico.delmundo]

If DC, Puerto Rico, and Guam become a state..... Republicans hyperventilating

[@alixir3010]

Absolutely salivating

[@CollinCarmichael]

Guam would have a very small population for a state, by far and away the least people.

[@CollinCarmichael]

Should just join hawaii

[@infinitegalaxy271]

Guam would never become a state too far away and it would be a mess for elections

[@infinitegalaxy271]

I saw make Northern California a state then to even out the power

[@angelamanginlaud8626]

"The Founding Fathers did not intend for Washington DC to be a state." The Founding Fathers are dead, Paul. They have been for more than 200 years.

[@adrian225]

He is a conservative republican For him the founding fathers are placed higher than gods

[@aidengriffith8208]

Yeah but it got smaller at 68 square miles

[@eckz8659]

Thankfully, the constitution lives on.

[@s4gr_n0s3y]

@@eckz8659 and if the same constitution that was there before the 1860’s lived on, most of us wouldn’t even be here on the internet

[@omgaddad5596]

@@s4gr_n0s3y The constitution never legalized slavery originally. It was just never banned. Don't blame the constitution for an issue that never existed.

[@BL3446]

Technically, giving DC statehood wouldn't (necessarily) give Democrats an extra seat in the House. Yes, DC is overly Democratic, but the House is locked in at 435. An additional state would cause a reapportionment of seats based on population. (Basically it would take away a seat from the 'most represented' state.) The Senate point is definitely true though.

[@lythd]

technically they would get an additional seat [it would temporarily be 436] as seats only get reallocated at the next census, but yeah the main deal is the senate anyway

[@milagros77to]

Puerto Rico has 3 million americans, with only a non voting member in The House of Representatives representing us. Puerto Ricans have serve in multiple wars including WW1, WW2, Vietnam War, Korean War, our current conflicts in the middle east. Were treated as second class citizens we can't vote for president only in the primaries. i ask Statehood for Puerto Rico and Washington DC.

[@alixir3010]

And you’ll get it.

[@aaaaaaaAasde3wdde]

Puerto Ricans have the choice of statehood, it is on the ballot most elections, but they vote no. If Puerto Rico becomes a state, they will have to pay federal income tax, so most people vote no.

[@Angette22]

We do not need Puerto Rico!! Your service is done !! Please take independence and go back !!!

[@idkwhatnametochoose6197]

But I Don’t Think Republicans (Holding Majority In Senate) Would Like 2 More Democratic Senators In The Senate & 3 - 6 More In The Senate. Edit: But I Don’t Think Republicans (Holding Majority In Senate) Would Like 2 More Democratic Senators In The Senate & 3 - 6 Representatives In The House.

[@Angette22]

Hakohito I’m a 90s baby’s mijo. No te creas !!

[@tedchill]

I’m simply touched by what the lady said. Here’s to equality.

[@s1ddh4r7h.p]

@Lovecraft k

[@JaffarTube]

@Lovecraft k

[@RK-ep8qy]

@Lovecraft you're right, let's stop with the faffing and just give Washington their statehood instead of dragging it out

[@PartnershipsForYou]

Lovecraft your name is kinda fitting because Lovecraft was an antisemite and a racist

[@billschlafly4107]

DC wasn't a state for very good reasons and no one cared because it was virtually uninhabited. So if the problem an abundance of unrepresented people then just have the states surrounding around DC annex the land leaving the portion carved out shown @3:01. Tipping the balance of power will only tear us further apart.

[@kon6708]

"DC can't be a state" "Why?" "Because"

[@turkeysamr]

Because it's a city? Why not just have it join the states it came from? "Because no"

[@alexnavas2802]

@@turkeysamr "because it's a city" I don't believe size is the issue here.

[@turkeysamr]

@@alexnavas2802 then what is the issue? If I and the majority of my country votes it wants to be a state does that mean it should be a state?

[@alexnavas2802]

@@turkeysamr well, do D.C. residents want to join Maryland or become a state? I do believe that D.C. and other U.S. territories should have a say in running the country

[@turkeysamr]

@@alexnavas2802 ah so if I have a large enough city and the state it's apart of wants it to become a state it can be a state? That makes no sense whatsoever

[@ekagranigam2813]

Isn't "taxation without representation" the reason behind the settlers wanting independence from Britain?

[@SomeKata]

yes, but the founders wanted a small area immune to local corruption as a HQ for the federal government to operate, its actually not that hard to understand. It's not about DC being exploited for their taxes, it's about the federal infrastructure not being infiltratable. making the area even smaller is a decent solution.

[@greg-iw7mf]

But when The Founding Fathers created DC, they didnt expect it to be a huge metropolis. They thought it would be busy with congressmen for a couple months then a ghost town for the rest of the year.

[@-hydro]

@@SomeKata If you watched the video they mention an easy solution to that problem. The vast majority of D.C is residential only a small portion is the Capitol, simply make that small portion the Capitol problem solved.

[@askosefamerve]

@@greg-iw7mf The Founding Fathers didnt imagined the other states added by the USA, American Terrortories and nor did they expected black people and women to vote, they also didnt expected to LGBT people became normalised.

[@greg-iw7mf]

@@askosefamerve they did know that other states would be added that they established procedures of territories becoming states in the constitution. DC was and is still an American territory so i dont understand the claim of "the FF didnt imagine American Territories". There were plenty of territories out west and south wanting to join the US shortly after the revolutionary war. Why are you bringing up race and LGBT? my argument is about the balance of federal and state powers...unfortunately throughout past and modern history, federal districts on local/state jurisdictions have been victims of corruption, political imbalances, injustices and in worst cases, overtakings.

[@puellanivis]

Republican politicians: “DC cannot be a state, because it is a singular city.” Germany: [laughs in Berlin, Hamburg, and Bremen]

[@mg-wq3em]

The state Bremen (Freie Hansestadt Bremen) actually consists of two cities: Bremen and Bremerhaven.

[@peperiveramartinez3378]

Mexico City is also a state

[@shafwandito4724]

Jakarta is a province too. which mean whole jakarta area is a capital

[@maniacgoon4777]

Luxembourg, Monaco Vatican City do we really need to say more 😂

[@miasolum5612]

Vatican City too?

[@ayanverma5746]

*1700s* :- No Taxation without Representation *2020* :- Taxation without Representation

[@BearsThatCare]

1700-2020*: Taxation without Representation

[@stevechance150]

2020 Republicans: "We will sell our souls to the Devil in order to keep control of the U.S. Senate. And if D.C. becomes a State, we would lose the Senate forever."

[@Adam.Clark.]

people in dc are allowed to vote correct?

[@Manolojimrne]

Adam Clark yes, but taxation without representation still stands because they have no representative in congress who can vote on bills.

[@Adam.Clark.]

@@Manolojimrne wasn't that the idea so that the capital would stay neutral and prevent divides that could potentially harm the federal offices

[@jacobhu7138]

“It only takes one election to change that” Well that aged well

[@annoyingperson2255]

Sad gop noices

[@aidengriffith8208]

But it’s only 68 square miles. It can’t be a state no matter who wants it

[@zaprising2844]

@@aidengriffith8208 There are countries even smaller or just about the same size. So size is what determines who gets representation and not?

[@sweet813one]

@@aidengriffith8208 Vatican City: Am i a joke to you?

[@aidengriffith8208]

@@sweet813one Vatican City is a country because it could not do enough as a state, your point?

[@owenpampo4120]

Then add Washington DC and Puerto Rico at the same time.

[@somepersononplanetearth9577]

both will likely happen now since the democrats have the senate.

[@flintleviathan5075]

@@somepersononplanetearth9577 I'm not sure about that. Support in Puerto Rico for becoming a state is much lower than in DC.

[@somepersononplanetearth9577]

@@flintleviathan5075 well they literally just held a referendum and voted to join the us.

[@flintleviathan5075]

@@somepersononplanetearth9577 That's great! I hope it happens.

[@somepersononplanetearth9577]

@@flintleviathan5075 yeah, and by the looks of it the democrats will pass it along with dc!

[@Dangic23]

I always laugh when someone uses the intent of the founding fathers to justify a policy in 2020.

[@Forlfir]

Brazil is also a federal country and the capital isn't a state, it's a federal district (for example it doesn't have a mayor, only a governor) but everybody can vote there because we have popular vote here and multiple parties, so no need to worry about an electorial college.

[@gabrielbrumberg229]

Exactly. As if modern Republicans remotely resemble traditional fiscal conservatives.

[@shree711]

@@Forlfir DC's only problem is that it does not have senators due to lack of statehood. DC votes in presidential elections where it has 3 electoral college votes.

[@nikilragav]

Agreed

[@sankarharikrishnan5183]

😂😂😂

[@gezi5927]

It would be called “Area 51” I’ll find the door

[@gezi5927]

BlockedUser yeah but they aren’t that punny I’m not staying

[@nay5092013]

You are brilliant

[@4ruy64]

Ur funny

[@karlosdeevs]

@@gezi5927 underrated;

[@heartofiron2251]

Nah politicians are lizards

[@shaddjimenez4524]

*”Taxation without representation” in the Capitol of the United States of America lol*

[@promoteroflibertyfromgloba8225]

the solution is simple. Those who live in D.C don’t have to pay federal income taxes.

[@linhhoang1363]

@@promoteroflibertyfromgloba8225 That's just heaven

[@isissorrowchongdongproduct6361]

@@promoteroflibertyfromgloba8225 at that point we all move to dc

[@mrnubbones8626]

@@promoteroflibertyfromgloba8225 **everyone proceeds to move to dc**

[@g2theartist]

"The founding fathers didn't intend for dc to be a state" The founding fathers also didn't want the government to be split into 2 parties and yet it did. Just say you guys don't want them to have statehood.

[@alexisleftist778]

the founding fathers may not have intended that but the way first past the post electiosn work favors only 2 party systems

[@adminbrave4938]

the founding fathers also didn't intend dc to be a thing, it was originally going to be a small district in new york. You only need to watch 10 seconds of hamilton to know that much.

[@g2theartist]

@@adminbrave4938 I never said they did intend for it to be a thing. My point is that using that as an excuse to not make it a state seems hypocritical to me because they still went against what the founding fathers said.

[@comandantethorn9929]

also almost all founding fathers had slaves, the country is different enough today that it shouldnt really matter what people from 200 years ago wanted

[@adminbrave4938]

@@g2theartist i know i meant that in the way of it was originally gonna be a small place IN a major city, but at this point its a massive city within its own right. im still a little iffy on wiether or not it should be a full state in itself, id rather it just be a city in maryland that way they can get there representation. secondly the ideals that its pop is as high as some states doesnt really matter, as large cities also have that high pop. but since i dont live there id rather the people make the choice.

[@MarcozExe]

*I mean, if my country is just a territory;* *I don't see one reason to pay federal* *taxes*

[@garbanzobeans6228]

REPENT , for the Kindom of Heaven is at hand It doesn’t matter if it isn’t written law, all that matters is that the government enforced it

[@MarcozExe]

*If no one got it, I'm talking abt. Puerto* *Rico not US*

[@moluski]

@@MarcozExe It's sad that the people from the US are still not concerned with the problems going on in Puerto Rico. To see that Washington DC has a better chance of becoming the 51st state is genuinely infuriating.

[@mrpw1402]

Julia Hernandez It could still be considered a steppingstone, once we have the ball rolling with the 51st state then we will start again looking for the next one and that 100% is Puerto Rico

[@MarcozExe]

@@mrpw1402 idk tbh, I don't think being a state would be that good right now

[@InfectionFever]

this is why you shouldn't have a 2 party system

[@DeathBone4656]

Why does the amount of parties matter?It would make vote splitting a night mare making everyone feel less represented and it wouldnt solve any issues we currently have.There are such thing as gun loving pro life democrats and pro choice massive gun law Republicans.

[@tanszism]

@Chooey Sooares yes, but those coalitions change and vary throughout the years, while the only major shift in recent years was the democratic party moving away from racism, and that was almost 50 years ago!

[@SpinDip42069]

@Chooey Sooares Having multiple parties allows people's views to be more closely represented. it is important.

[@benheinz7886]

Why is this why we shouldn't have a two party system?

[@falconerd343]

Wait, do you mean we should only have a 1 party system, or a many party system?

[@jonyprepperisrael60]

"Taxation without representation" Ironic

[@shaddjimenez4524]

The capitol of the united states lol

[@annoyingperson2255]

Dc has voted for a party that claims they will raise taxes. Dc realising they now have high taxes.😭😢

[@frenchieewoo3355]

@@annoyingperson2255 raise taxes for people making over 400k. Which in the entire US only makes up 1.8% of population. At same time that 1.8% control 25% of wealth in the nation. However, high taxes on someone in DC making 50k a year and no representation in Congress is absolutely upsetting especially while the rich get tax breaks.

[@annoyingperson2255]

@@frenchieewoo3355 Well also dc has some of the most expensive property to income rates on earth second or hire behind Hong Kong and other Asian cities

[@frenchieewoo3355]

@@annoyingperson2255 again your talking about a small amount of people in comparison to the entire city. everyone thinks DC and thinks rich politicians but not about every streeet besides Pennsylvania Ave. And a lot of these expensive properties are a result of gentrification and the new crowd not the actual citizens who have been there for generations . DC for the past 60 years had been predominantly black. The past 10 years prices of property have been driven up to push out black people. And those high taxes in addition to lack of representation to change it is an issue.

[@PercalTM]

Unless Republicans are able to get a state its never going to happen. Thats the problem with a two party system.

[@annoyingperson2255]

Well dc was never suppose to be a state what they can do is put government buildings in one place then split it between b three other states

[@n1kolaos]

US: Heavily taxing their people UK, crying: Just like dad.

[@marcodiepold2065]

so underrated

[@connorthompson66]

Also, without representation.

[@meferswift]

Trumo should free them of taxes ! how dare he to taxes them with high taxes. !

[@Hadahuda]

us is way worse

[@jadenjones3559]

@@meferswift if their rich then yes

[@widgetfilms]

Why not make DC and Puerto Rico both states so we can have an even 52?

[@memphisstef3808]

Wyvernblue, both would lean democrat so there is no way republicans would allow it :(

[@DrSeanKennedy]

@@memphisstef3808 That's why you do it when you control the White House, The House, and the Senate at the same time.

[@hectorvega621]

@@memphisstef3808 funny though for Puerto Rico. Most Republican presidents wanted to make it a state.

[@Lando-kx6so]

Puerto Rico is a country under American ownership that deserves independence

[@hectorvega621]

@@Jordan_Dossou From what I seen in discussions in other comments. It's 50/50.

[@quickjab_r6589]

Why not just shrink the surrounding area of DC and add the rest to Maryland or Virginia

[@BraintrustDoesStuff]

cause dems are desperate for extra electoral votes, and seats in Congress. In fact, that's literally the only reason the Dems attempting this.

[@risannd]

Virginia had got its part in 1847. If retrocession does happen, it'll go back to Maryland only. But both Maryland and DC said no.

[@antargaming1619]

@@risannd why would Maryland say no, also it’s a bad idea because the fed area was meant to be autonomous

[@risannd]

If DC was given back to Maryland, the federal district, which should not been in the state, also will be carved up just like the statehood proposal. Marylanders don't want retrocession because they don't want to share their power and wealth with DC. DC residents also don't want retrocession, because it would diminish their identity.

[@antargaming1619]

@@risannd thing is it is not good if we carve up the federal district

[@AverytheCubanAmerican]

"Washington DC is a city, not a state" Singapore, Monaco, and Vatican City: *Allow us to introduce ourselves* If a city within a city can be a state, so can DC. If a city island powerhouse like Singapore can be a state, so can DC.

[@artmichelstetter5087]

and Monaco

[@masonhedges5264]

They aren't states controlled by a government, they are their own nation and government and its been like that for centuries

[@artmichelstetter5087]

@Suspicious man in a flower costume, she was talking about nation-states, which can be called states

[@MrMemer]

Wasn't DC founded so no state has control over the capital?

[@artmichelstetter5087]

@Chunky N Funky It was a federal district, not DC necessarily.

[@dudemoney4]

Doesn't touch on the history of DC being a Black metropolis and how intentional racist disenfranchisement is a big factor as well.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

🙄 Racism seems to be the excuse for everything wrong apparently.

[@drink15]

Its called focusing on the main point of the story. Lots of stuff they didn't touch, but then the video would be hours long.

[@NightDoge]

drink15 -- Even if it was hours long someone would still complain about how something was left out and claim something presumptuous like "it's more nuance than this simplified version."

[@geraldmaxwell3277]

The issue of DC not being a state predates it having a Black majority. Last I checked, DC only gained a Black majority in the 1940s-1950s. DC statehood has been debated since the 1800s when DC was only 20 percent Black and the answer was still. No.

[@marlonmoncrieffe0728]

@Billionaire# Vision I am an historian so there goes that argument.

[@srosellerjr]

Please vote, you guys, I am not a US Citizen, but I live in the US as a permanent resident. I can't vote, obviously, but I encourage people to vote. That's your right and responsibility.

[@YouYou-sm8tf]

VOTE TRUMP

[@maclain728]

@@YouYou-sm8tf How’d this age?

[@glenagarrett4704]

The plan to separate the "city" from the federal district makes complete sense. The city would be composed of the tax-paying people where they live. The federal district would be composed of the places where federal governmental functions occur. I can't understand see why this is so widely opposed - unless it's purely partisanship or Congress' incessant desire for power.

[@Schlabbeflicker]

The reason it is opposed is the same reason DC became a separate entity to begin with. This video completely buries the history of DC as an organized entity. When Congress was housed in Philadelphia, they were threatened by rioters that the Philadelphia mayor refused to send the police to control. Congress explicitly wanted a territory in which they had sole control of police, hence the establishment of DC as the new national capitol and as a separate political entity. DC could just as easily be rolled back into Maryland, just as was the Virginia part of DC that was already returned, but the powers that be want two free senators, not representation. If you want representation, move outside of the congressional fief.

[@NooneStaar]

@@Schlabbeflicker interesting

[@thomasking49]

I think we should have 53 states: one nation, *indivisible*

[@eken1725]

Okay. D.C., Puerto Rico and what?

[@PremierCCGuyMMXVI]

Eken 17 Guam lol

[@gaius5901]

I'm from Guam, an American citizen and no federal tax 😁

[@jesseberg3271]

@Elijah Edric Guinto Guamanians are already US Citizens, they have the right to live anywhere in the US they want to, same as Puertorriquenos.

[@futureshock382]

hahahaha nice prime number joke

[@clrum9427]

Vox has a way to somehow make you want to fight and be passionate about an issue in 7 minutes in 30 seconds.

[@Gadequation]

That's their job. I do it for a living too so I know how to control minds as well. Vox is the king of emotional pleas with selective info.

[@sentientarugula2884]

@@Gadequation Yeah, but in this case it's a plea with logic too

[@acurapontiac4435]

This isn’t about a city becoming a state, it’s about preventing the federal government from being bullied by or dependent on a state, which is why our capital isn’t in Philadelphia. Mobs attacked congress and the state wouldn’t send any help.

[@escargot8854]

I love when learning something new. The pairwise introduction of new states escaped me. Thanks yall

[@tyqwanpettty6843]

Lol that’s ironic is DC is being represented by a black woman that has no voting powers lol

[@applejackmccrack5383]

honestly 💀 like "hmm where have we seen that happening b4"

[@crybully]

How oppressive !

[@uxokid]

Wbat a racist

[@tyqwanpettty6843]

Kallen Murphy it’s historical irony

[@ryan_n05]

300th like.

[@thehopeofeden597]

*DC:* WE SHOULD BE THE 51st STATE! *Me:* *coughs in puerto rican*

[@AsymmetricalCrimes]

First we need to solve Puerto Rico's corruption in its Education department. The Federal Gov literally gave them more money and the secretary embezzled it to buy a mansion. Then he gets imprisoned for only several months before returning to the job. Why does no one talk about this.... Puerto Ricans should have the same value to the government as mainland citizens do.

[@ajegs2082]

If u watched the video, I don’t think u pay tax And guess who does

[@ImworriedImgettingspyedon]

@@ajegs2082 "Residents of Puerto Rico are required to pay some U.S. federal taxes, like Medicare and social security. But most residents do not have to pay the federal personal income tax"

[@Lando-kx6so]

Nah Puerto Rico should be independent

[@corynardin]

It is not a choice between the two. I'm all for statehood for both. That is assuming Puerto Rico wants to become a state. I'm not sure that is a decided by the people.

[@gabegrein2558]

Instead of becoming a state or stay a territory why can't it just join Maryland or Virginia

[@JohnSmith-hn6kv]

Disappointing that the video ignores this idea.

[@shree711]

Virginia already has had land from DC returned to it. So DC should return most of its land to Maryland. That is the correct and proper solution.

[@JakeSnake94]

Because Democrats want those juicy Senate and House Seats to have free reign on elections

[@canadajones9635]

because it's had its own history for the 200+ years it's been a thing?

[@jonahwoolley4465]

I would then become part of Maryland/Virginia state politics. The entire point of having DC a federal district was that it wouldn't be controlled by other states or argued about, so adding it to them would defeat the entire point. Making it its own state would keep its autonomy and independence from politics, but also give it the representation it deserves.

[@LeaderV4]

Why not just cede the land back to Maryland? Seems more reasonable than giving a city statehood in the US.

[@w41duvernay]

THAT is mighty White of you to not to ask the DC residents on what they want.

[@LeaderV4]

@@w41duvernay That’s why I asked the question, is it an option. Idk if it’s even an option. May be in the founding of DC Maryland and Virginia ceded that land for all time or something. Didn’t know giving the people of DC more options made me white with a capital W. 😂

[@1000rogueleader]

@@LeaderV4 I mean it is an option. The land that Virginia ceded was returned to them. It just that, any retrocession (that's what returning the land is called BTW) would have to be agreed upon by state of Maryland, and they probably wouldn't agree to it, because that would mean sharing power with the Washington locals and that is not necessarily something the Maryland government wants.

[@FirstLast-qf1df]

I don't think Maryland wants it back

[@vts0361]

Sinple, the people in DC do NOT want that

[@saahiliyer11]

When the Founding Fathers were alive, Washington, D.C. was a swamp. The idea of denying statehood to the city that exists today based on what long dead men thought of a swamp is idiotic.

[@thesillyseal284]

Is it? Maybe find out why DC shouldn't be a state. Theres a lot of compelling points on both sides.

[@micah4029]

@@thesillyseal284 Regardless of whether or not it should be a state, they're saying basing present-day choices on outdated intentions and information is idiotic.

[@natenae8635]

Micah-David Saunders Such as you haven’t still gone to investigate reason for each sides case you can’t call it idiotic without study the pros and cons of both sides their is no 100% correct or best in politics

[@micah4029]

@@natenae8635 I feel like you misunderstand my point. I'm not for or against making DC a state (because I didn't know it was an issue until watching this video). I am simply stating that if one of your main arguments for or against something is "That's how people who lived ~250 years ago wanted it", that isn't necessarily sound logic.

[@CarolinaM1305]

@@thesillyseal284 DC absolutely should be a state and the only "compelling" reason against it is that Republicans think it's unfair that they wouldn't control the senate if all Americans got representation. This is a democratic republic, there shouldn't be an argument against a single citizen being unrepresented, let alone seven hundred thousand of us. The same goes for PR and all the US territories.

[@danielsalinaslopez3541]

This happened in Mexico City a few years ago, and since then we’ ve seen major improvements. Keep pressuring and go ahead

[@TheHollowBodiesBand]

> major improvements > _Dra. Claudia Sheinbaum_

[@AlexCab_49]

Why did El DF become just Mexico city?

[@i.chavez7112]

La CDMX isn't technically a state, because it isn't divided into municipalities, amongst other things.

[@AlexCab_49]

@Kansas Geoff If you paid attention there has been more Mexicans fleeing the US than those fleeing in. Nice try racist.

[@Ch-xk5tv]

"No taxation without representation" If Washington DC isn't allowed to have representation in a federal level, it should split from the US, like the 13 colonies did, hundreds of years ago.

[@alecr6119]

This is so relevant with DC not being able to respond to January 6

[@jwil4286]

“The obstacle to statehood is politics” That’s been the case for 200 years

[@vinayakgupta2008]

*Taxation without Representation* .... *Sounds like a reason for revolution* * 1770's revolutionary music intensifies * If DC didn't became a state DC should rebel against The Federal Government just like the early Americans did to the British....

[@justinp7497]

With what? They’ll get mowed down

[@sanjarsocool]

Nope their normal people they aren’t some sorta farmers who carry an arsenal of guns they do things diplomatically

[@sinoroman]

DC Revolution when?

[@natedavis3740]

Sanjar Javed “Normal people” don’t have guns?

[@ajegs2082]

@@natedavis3740 not in most of western civilisation

[@gnulectures]

If a capital city can't be a state...then what are Germany, Brazil, and Australia doing? 🤔

[@user-ts4yf3fe9u]

Funny, none are member of the United States nor do the constitution say anything about Germany, Brazil and Aust. not having a capital city that is not a state.

[@elliotkamper]

"Right now, [the Republicans] oppose DC statehood, but it only takes one election to change that" **shows all three branches as blue** Anyone else get a huge smirk on their face? 😏

[@brendanm6555]

@Neil Rusling why would Puerto Rico being a state make republicans happy? The demographics of the island make it that it would almost certainly be blue

[@KrishnaDasLessons]

@@brendanm6555 It is because the island is socially conservative and has politicians that are affiliated with the Republican party, at the same time has politicians affiliated with the Democrat party and many of their residents want more progressive policies. It would be a swing state for sure.

[@psvmjohn]

@@brendanm6555 Latinos from the east tend to vote red, so republicans would do well there.

[@cameronburke8002]

The reason why the founding fathers didnt want D.C. to be in a state was so no state could claim control of the United States. This was back when Washington D.C. was a field with Congress in the middle. Times have changed now and the founding fathers would allow D.C. statehood since there are people belong taxed without representation.

[@connor863]

Very true--the founding fathers would give DC statehood because of Taxation without Representation. As for the issue of federal buildings not being in a state, we could easily form a Federal District that would cover all the land with Federal buildings and make DC a state that's just right next to the federal district. Problem solved with DC Statehood!

[@Trekeyus]

Very true and I wholeheartedly approve of them keeping the none state inside of the new state

[@avatarcayo5293]

How do you know what they would do.

[@DavinSchvelleSpero]

Looks like the Simposns episode where Bart accidentaly answeres that America has 51 states would happen afterall.

[@casual_ice_consumer4148]

It's going to happen! The Simpsons predicted it!

[@ferguson1376]

@@casual_ice_consumer4148 oh schist another simpsons prediction!

[@MeesterTweester]

@@casual_ice_consumer4148 The idea of a 51st state isn't that new

[@jamwither9847]

no

[@arashkhavaran3972]

There’s also Porto Rico that should become a state.

[@riptyurass302]

States have always been introduced into the union in pairs, one traditional red and one traditional blue one. This is to sort of reach a compromise by both parties to balance the senate. Until there are any territories that are red, DC will have a very hard time becoming a state.

[@georgewashington3918]

“I city can’t become a state” Vatican city 🇻🇦: *I’m I a joke to you?*

[@javieryeo4032]

Singapore and Monaco too

[@thestatkid5583]

Singapore: eh. I’m right here you know

[@markojovanovski3372]

Thats not a state,thats a country

[@georgewashington3918]

@@markojovanovski3372 it’s a real country Called the Holy sea

[@wilhelmheinzerling5341]

06:10 the irony of a special forces soldiers (the unit motto is "de oppresor libre" which is to "free the oppressed") in riot gear "controlling" protestors is one of the most ironic things ive seen in the Army.

[@Adam.Clark.]

rioters aren't oppressed though, the fact that they can riot shows their freedom. in places like china you just get shot and executed for protesting the government.

[@nathanolds6863]

Adam Clark Protesters gets shot and killed in the US as well.

[@Adam.Clark.]

@@nathanolds6863 gimme and example from recent times

[@operationMoolah]

@@nathanolds6863 nothing at all like china, in the us there is accountability

[@buncha3arrows195]

Not as bad as China, because the US is not a dictatorship, but it may well be the worst in the western world at the moment. The police have turned callously violent against protesters.

[@TheFroschkind]

If Liechtenstein can be a sovereign country, D.C. can certainly be considered a state.

[@GentlemanJack295]

Just give it back to Maryland. Problem solved.

[@davidcharles7106]

Which problem are you trying to solve?

[@GentlemanJack295]

david charles Them having representation

[@bryannoah9023]

@@GentlemanJack295 That isn't representation. DC is DC not MD.

[@GentlemanJack295]

Bryan Noah DC cannot be a state by the Constitution. Virginia took back its portion and Maryland could do the same. Just another metro area in MD with full representation while the small Federal part remains as it is. You know the land for that part of DC came from Maryland to begin with? It just goes back to whence it came.

[@twhiteofrd_1102]

Sounds smart and gets around adding a state from each party at a time but I fear the real reason that this is being pushed is to swing the balance of the Senate towards dems

[@martinstent5339]

If you're going to get a new state, make it Puerto Rico. 3 million disenfranchised Americans should make the country ashamed. Or do they still think colonisation to be OK?

[@s4gr_n0s3y]

How about have DC become a state along with the territories

[@anayalator_221]

Add DC and Puerto Rico at the same time. Boom now they’re a pair lol

[@FrancisBehnen]

But both democratic leaning I guess?

[@janma5216]

Both DC and PR would be democratic states, the pairs thing is to add a democrat state and a republican state to balance it out.

[@DrSeanKennedy]

@@janma5216 Really? They should have put that in the video! Then, we would know!

[@Daxtorim]

@@DrSeanKennedy Did you even watch the video? They cleary mention it at 4:38

[@DrSeanKennedy]

@@Daxtorim Wow! You're right! You must be really smart! So...there was no reason for @Janma to mention it in the comments, was there?

[@pintobeans994]

Dc and Puerto Rico. And make American somoans citizens instead of nationals

[@pfmcoop]

Tiefkühlen agree but they don’t want it though

[@mohammadali3711]

Tiefkühlen they don’t want it

[@larryhovekamp4318]

Guam and the Marianas have perhaps more people than Alaska when it first became a state in 1959. All an area needs to become a full state in the union is to have over 60,000 people and approval by Congress. All places mentioned pass the first Constitutional threshold of correct minimum population.

[@DanielLara-fh5sw]

nope

[@ZaibatsuHeavyIndustries]

@Tiefkühlen US ain’t gonna give up Puerto Rico

[@vboyz21]

Imagine how the situation would be if DC was primarily republican, they'd be all over that

[@diamondrg3556]

And the Democrats would be screaming what the republicans are saying

[@greg-iw7mf]

I dont think so. The republicans are very literal when dealing with The Constitution. Going astray from The Constitution and the Amendments would invalidate all of their values, especially the 2nd amendment and religion. They'd either leave it be or make it part of Maryland if they really cared

[@iVince905]

@@greg-iw7mf what? The whole basis of the creation of this country is taxation without representation.

[@greg-iw7mf]

@@iVince905 People were made aware of that fact BEFORE people settled into DC. People CHOSE to move to DC knowing that DC is a federal territory. What King George did is nowhere near what is happening in DC. If taxation without representation is the issue, why not give residential DC to Maryland. Virginia took back their land from DC. Why not Maryland

[@randomuser2438]

the last thing the lady said, truly powerful words.

[@michaelbalson]

Why not just reduce the size of the "Federal District" as outlined in that plan, but then just dissolve the rest of the city back into Maryland? The people gain their representation, and the political math remains undisturbed. Seems like the most suitable compromise.

[@Doddibot]

Wouldn't the additional population of Maryland still give them one more representative?

[@Ann-dq5gx]

michael You know, Senate

[@thomashatchett4190]

Both the people of DC don't want to be absorbed into Maryland, and Marylander's don't wan't the citizens of DC to join their state. When last polled, only 26% of Marylander's wanted DC to be absorbed into the state. The principle foundation of Democracy is self-determination, and as such we could not ethically force the people of DC and Maryland to enter in to a compromise which neither of them want. Instead, why don't we take the Appalachian areas of Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, which are distinctly different to the rest of their states, and join them into their own state, giving Republicans 2 more solid red seats in the senate?

[@nutkja]

Maryland does not want DC. It would shift the balance of power away from Annapolis and Baltimore. MD will never let it happen.

[@ownageeagle]

This solution has been offered numerous times and it is always rejected. They want to become a state and get the two additional Democrat Senators. It is entirely political in nature and they could have representation through Maryland relatively quickly if they agreed to it. The argument is that there is an ulterior motive to trying to give DC statehood which is to change the outlook of the Senate.

[@aaronquick6154]

"A city cannot be a State" Singapore, Monaco, and Vatican City have left the chat.

[@janniskoester8640]

Let me just add Hamburg, Bremen and Berlin as cities that are the equivalent of states in Germany. Vatican, Monaco and Singapore are cities that are countries, which is an even greater rebuttal!

[@beef-jerky]

Did you know that City-State is word?

[@beef-jerky]

@@janniskoester8640 still have no relevation to how US states work.

[@beef-jerky]

@@JM-dk4ec it's better when they try to compare something Europe does that won't work here, like roundabouts. they won't work because Americans have lots of Trucks

[@Tiktik_Xanim]

Montreal in Quebec aswell

[@steviewang4102]

4:43 "Hawaii leaned Republican and Alaska leaned Democratic" oh my how times have changed...

[@JesusFinale]

Thats because Hawaii was really pro business that time. And Alaska has a really big population of white working class (back in that time the white working class was really democratic)

[@NHMapsOffical]

Washington DC: well I’m Democratic so can I join? Republicans: no because you would give more Democratic seats

[@WickedMapping]

And if DC was republican I can guarantee the Democrats would fight it as well.

[@TheMetamorphoses2003]

D.C. is the "I'm not like other states" of states

[@campkira]

a states mean you had land owner and power enough to be states... dc just center of power.. but whatever...

[@avian6197]

@@campkira it's a meme lol

[@danieldavidai1004]

I love this channel so much, they put so much effort into every video and are incredibly informative about so many issues. Thanks Vox!

[@TBH_Inc]

They vastly oversimplified this topic so I would recommend doing your own research if you are curious.

[@Adam.Clark.]

they do also have a lot of false things

[@shuuji33]

@Vox Thank you for creating the good explanatory video. I can learn more about the history of United States.❤️🇺🇸

[@jbj7799]

Am I the only person who is so confused? How is the capital not part of the country?

[@user-ts4yf3fe9u]

We because we are a federation of sovereign states, one of this state which by agreement ceded land to create a seat of government that is not part of any of those sovereign state so that it can be neutral and outside the pressure and control of any say state. DC can neither be the Capital or if it want to be a state then the capital need to move somewhere else. Then the people of formerly DC would have to declare itself independent of Maryland since Maryland don't want what was formerly DC back that should not be a problem (this would establish it sovereignty), petition the US annexed it back into the union and submit application for statehood. The capital can't be in DC anymore so it have to be move to reservation somewhere out west, maybe White Sand, it would to well with White House. Moving all the buildings out there would be a challenge but not undoable.

[@flux202]

3:23 "Founding fathers didn't intend for Washington to be a state" Well Hawaii wasn't even a state before it was stolen*, so you think it's really up to their intentions.

[@happypt2929]

all land is "stolen"

[@user-xt3xn2hl4e]

True indeed. America has stolen many lands in the past - and especially Hawaii, a symbol of US imperialism.

[@MrHistory269]

Yea as a Native Hawaiian I suggest you look further into that the story is quite sad

[@happypt2929]

@@user-xt3xn2hl4e that's just human history every tribe nation civilization stole land its a fact just because the USA did it better and at a bigger scale doesn't mean nothing, that's how evolution works bigger and better societies and cultures will take over lesser and weaker if they can't defend themselves

[@user-xt3xn2hl4e]

@@happypt2929 I'm speaking this issue from a political standpoint. There is no need to hold a conversation on evolution right now - although I'd be happy to talk about your "science" later. Furthermore, your statement is fallacious, as it constitutes an "appeal to nature" logical fallacy.

[@SpicyTake]

Does this explain why Democrats didn't do it when they controlled all 3 branches in the 1990's and 2000's?

[@dpaulson5440]

Because Republican corruption is matched only by Democrats being unable to take advantage of a good political situation.

[@BeaverChainsaw]

Weird, I thought politicians play to win

[@zerologic7912]

It's because the moderate Democrats didn't want to give power to the progressives.

[@anglobostonian]

Because Democrats only controlled both chambers of Congress and the Presidency simultaneously for two years, from 1993 until 1995. In those days, a lot of the Democratic members of the House and Senators were from rural and conservative states and districts. The Democratic majority in the US House tonight is a lot more urban and suburban based and a lot more liberal and moderate leaning than it was back then.

[@dinobozonelos5571]

Senate Filibuster.

[@RetroYouthYouthRetro]

The Democratic Senate better get this done in the next 2 years so help us god

[@annoyingperson2255]

This is something George Washington did not want we should follow his lead because other then slaves he's way better then trump and biden

[@arturomartinez1771]

@@annoyingperson2255 he also didn’t want political parties so i think we should take apart the government

[@annoyingperson2255]

@@arturomartinez1771 I actually think people should not be in party's they should be respected based off ideas

[@zaprising2844]

@@annoyingperson2255 Username checks out

[@s4gr_n0s3y]

Apparently on March 22nd oversight Democrats will be hearing on DC Statehood, so if they eliminate the filibuster, convince people like Joe Manchin and Kyrsten Sinema to vote for the bill, it’s likely it’s gonna happen this year

[@nickchambers3935]

"The founding fathers did not intend for Washington DC to be a state" I'm pretty sure they didn't intend for black people to be treated as human beings either my dude

[@johnadams7145]

The only founding father that didn’t own slaves was John Adams. He wasn’t even an abolitionist.

[@blarneystone38]

One study estimated that by the year 2040, half of Americans will live in just eight states. That means half the population gets 16 senators and the other half gets 84. The entire structure of the Senate needs to be reconsidered.

[@thedarkworld221]

The entire point of the senate was state representation not population representation that's the purpose of the House of Representatives

[@stonecoggins107]

Fernando Fernandez I’m not suggesting that the Senate wasn’t designed around state representation. I’m suggesting that designing it that way was a bad idea.

[@trapfethen]

@@stonecoggins107 I very much agree. The idea that state legislatures voices should matter as much if not more than the people is frankly a little ridiculous.

[@nepatrul6075]

You have GOT to be joking right??? Ever take, idk, a BASIC US history class?

[@stonecoggins107]

@@nepatrul6075 this may be shocking, but it is possible for someone to receive an education and come away with a different opinion than your own

[@terrylambert8149]

52, Puerto Rico should finally decide on statehood or independence.

[@zoedanforth7932]

They did but mainland shot it down

[@sinoroman]

PR wants both lol

[@theviniso]

@@sinoroman To be fair I think any of the alternatives is better than being a territory

[@Lando-kx6so]

Puerto Rico needs to be independent. Any "Puerto Rican" that thinks otherwise has a colonised mindset and aren't true Puerto Ricans.

[@forthelasttime4005]

@@Lando-kx6so You should have a chit-chat with Puerto Ricans- *multiple* Puerto Ricans. You'll find that they're opinion on the status of Puerto Rico is never unanimous. It's almost as divisive as the mainland's red vs blue

[@cooper8357]

I feel like this could cause some legal trouble. If statehood is granted to Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, this would still leave a district of Columbia where the government buildings and the national mall are. The Douglass Common wealth, as a state, would have an electoral college of about 3 for one representative and two senators. However, the 23rd amendment dictates that the citizens of the District of Columbia, now the national mall, have 3 electoral college votes. This would effectively give 3 electoral college votes to anyone claiming residence in the District of Columbia, the only one of which are those in the White house. If the president claimed residence at the White house, they could pretty much get a free 3 electoral college points. So I would hope that the 23rd amendment would be appealed shortly after the Douglass Commonwealth is created.

[@seanshameless0]

I think after 1/6/21 there is now more than ever a strong affirmation for this cause.

[@blink-oncefeat.multistan1300]

In Germany, 3 of the 16 federal states are *cities* ! Bremen, Hamburg and Berlin, which is the capital city of Germany!!

[@vastpeople9623]

No clash between Federal Gov and Berlin State laws?

[@BlissToby]

@@vastpeople9623 Not more or less than with other states that have more territory and less citizens.

[@madelvomlande7770]

@@vastpeople9623 These three are "City states", that means they only have a small territory but a big population and they are represented and have the same power as the big states. And the state of Bremen is actually made out of two citys that don't even are next to each other.

[@uncletrick1]

Americans don't want to be like Europeans. That's why they left.

[@pijuskri]

@@uncletrick1 the germany they left was nothing like the current government

[@billschlafly4107]

This country is ripping itself apart.

[@grayonthewater]

It always has been

[@patricktsai2303]

Have you been sleeping the last 3.5 years?

[@ethanmaraffino3029]

I love the quotes from the congress men that are muted when they make their points

[@gj1234567899999]

I propose six new states: 1)DC, 2)Puerto Rico, 3)Oceania (guam, Samoa), 4)eastern Oregon, 5)southern Illinois, and 6)north California. These areas will keep the balance in the senate as well as make republicans in those liberal areas happy because they have their own places.

[@generationalpha8454]

This will just go on and on if we let that happen. Don't forget south of Florida, Teton county in Wyoming those are Democrat corners in Republican states

[@joachimschoder]

The tea party was founded in 2008 under the motto "taxation without representation". So if they are consistent they would be in favor of DC statehood, right? Of course unless this was never about principles.

[@ae1ae2]

It was never about principles. Just like the "pro life" stance by the right who somehow think the minor inconvenience of wearing a mask is too much trampling on rights to save a human life. It's all laughably transparent, yet there is zero self-reflection in the Republican party.

[@wonderbread7327]

AE most republican politicians have said that wearing a mask is good but it is illegal to force someone to wear something

[@sohanvohra3838]

AE the difference is that if you don’t wear a mask it is not directly harming people, but rather failing to take measures to protect them. In addition to this, you can try to avoid other people. Actually, you are meant to. Abortion directly harms people, and those people are defenceless, so it is a different matter. Should you wear a mask? Yes. But the law in general should stop you doing certain things rather than compel you to do things.

[@dantatadangote4700]

It was about White People's reaction to the 1st Black president. Let's state facts here!

[@TEFcomedy]

Why not give the rest of the city to Maryland and leave the few government buildings in DC? The people would get there represention.

[@Info_Cntrl]

That is a notable solution but rendered inert by the wishes of the people. It has been shown through polling and vocal political support that the people of Maryland generally support DC statehood and the people of DC do as well... the evidence also shows that neither favor the retro cession of DC's land back to Maryland. There's many reasons for this but you get the picture: Both groups prefer DC become a state

[@8is]

@@Info_Cntrl Of course they want to be a state rather than being part of a state. It's not about representation at that point; it's about power. You get more power creating a new state than increasing the population of an already existing state.

[@benheinz7886]

The main reason is bc the Democrats want to pack the senate

[@8is]

@@benheinz7886 Yup.

[@GC-ps9mn]

@@8is The citizens of Maryland and the citizens of DC do not want DC to be part of Maryland. Why should we force that decision upon the people of DC and Maryland? Why should DC become a part of Maryland instead of becoming a part of Virginia?

[@burper-oe6tm]

“Washington DC is a city, not a state” Yes, we know, that’s why you’re having this debate. We want to change that

[@ethantam5981]

So you’re telling me that there gets to be 2 dakotas with the total of 4 senators but no DC. Bush this is the first thing they have to pass srry but I don’t like joe manchin having so much power

[@waynebooze5632]

It takes 7 hours at 80 mph to traverse the Dakotas without stopping. The area is reasonable for governing, even if the population density isn't anything near a metropolitan center. Our power in the Senate is mitigated by our single Congressional Representatives, so it balances out. Over 364K residents of Washington DC work for the federal government. That's an incredibly amount of power and influence (the folks who implement the laws and write the administrative rules governing our nation do most of the heavy lifting of policy work). The Federalist Papers are clear in the logic behind a territory being the seat of the federal government; no state should have that much power in both crafting laws and implementing them.

[@ethantam5981]

And having 1 hor, is more influential than people working in the capital. As stated in the video, they pay the most tax but no representation. They can even vote on legislation. And what are the chances they influence someone? Has there been a case where they influenced a gop to flip? And if it did, did that flip make any changes?

[@waynebooze5632]

@@ethantam5981 I'm afraid you've got that backwards. The folks actually writing rules and implementing the law have a lot of leeway in interpreting what Congress passes. The 1800 pages of the ACA is nothing compared to the mountains of regulations created (and still being created) to implement it. Agencies like CMS, the EPA, and ATF can change policy without Congress ever doing a thing. And if you've ever watched CSPAN, you know that administrative officials testify all the time on the Hill about the impacts of legislation. There's a ton of power there. I'll grant that the folks of DC pay on average more taxes than any other STATE, but I bet if you compared them to any other major metropolitan area in the US, it'd be average (the average person pays over $15,000 in income taxes). DC doesn't have any rural areas with lower income to lower the average, and about half its population are working directly for the federal government, so they're drawing reasonable paychecks. Go read Federalist 43. There are good reasons you don't want the federal government beholden to any one state. No state should have a majority of its population employed by the Federal government. And if it's imperative that the people of the city of DC should have a vote in Congress, then Maryland should reclaim the land it ceded to create the District, rather than create a state for a city wholly encompassing the Capitol, and so intertwined.

[@justsomeoneelse5942]

“Washington D.C is a city, not a state”. But it’s not a city within a state. That’s the problem with calling it a city.

[@hououinkyouma9438]

It makes more sense to just incorporate the city itself and its residents into Maryland, but leave the federal buildings as a “district.” Virginia basically did that so, why not? They would have state and federal representation. That’s the concern, right? It’s not just a power grab, right?

[@nutkja]

The problem is Maryland does not want DC. It would tip the balance of power in MD away from the state capitol Annapolis and Baltimore. Neither of those jurisdictions will allow DC to become part of MD. And Virginia’s relationship between the north and south parts of the state is also very tense so the south won’t want Northern VA to get more power either. DC also has it’s own culture that is separate from MD and VA and they don’t want to be part of either of those states.

[@beef-jerky]

The only reason that people in DC want statehood that isn't immediately political is so Congress can't control the city budget. But every reason after is political, Dems are so desperate to get more control in Congress because they know how 2020 will turn out, but the counter arguments are valid, for example DC is a federal city meant to be the seat of the nation.

[@lozoft9]

Except it states in the constitution that both MD and DC would have to agree, and DC residents want statehood, not to be part of a state.

[@hankhebert]

dress for the dystopia you want I want statehood for my city too. Why isn’t Vox promoting that?

[@beef-jerky]

@@hankhebert BTW I want statehood for NYC, I don't live there I just don't want them controlling our politics

[@ianlozanogimenez2915]

Very interesting essay! I truly had no clue some washingtonians were looking for statehood.

[@bandrewsonp5379]

Why does DC just incorporate into one of the surrounding states?

[@dessnom4333]

"DC can't be a state because it's a city" Is he aware that there are entire countries that are 1 city

[@ManCheat2]

County doesnt equal state.

[@jj_cars99]

**laughs in Europe**

[@user-ts4yf3fe9u]

Do the Vatican want to be a state in the United STATES of America? I don't remember any other City-State asking to join our great union.

[@arunsreenivasan2074]

I feel like they deserve statehood...

[@breadbert9735]

Yes we Washingtonians want and deserve statehood

[@kleinerrebell6691]

I don't know man. These are valid points, but 51 is such an odd number

[@voltaire6062]

We can simply take the Northern part of South Dakota and the Southern part of North Dakota and create the new state of central Dakota, for an even 52

[@simondahl5437]

@@voltaire6062. Or Puerto Rico. Republicans would hate it but it would be even.

[@huanlecongquoc957]

6:34 * foreshadowing * Damm, Vox could predict the future...

[@jacoblee6079]

Of all industries: "There is no mining or logging"

[@ChincerDante]

no kidding Sherlock, there is also probably no fishing and not large potery, fishing distric, blacksmith or an inn for thirsty adventures i bet. politics sometimes just serve to undermine the needs of people rather than supply and value them