Tom Davis, STILL insane
... Okay, so maybe "insane" is too harsh a characterisation, but how else would you describe someone who ought to know better continuing down the same path?
Mr. Davis, a refresher--Consitution, Article I, Section 8:
With that in mind, I find it hard to imagine why a Virginian would even think of participating in something like this. Something that's literally un-Constitutional, rather than merely supposedly (think "wall of separation, folks).
Read my lips: NO vote for DC, without a constitutional Amendment. EVER. The federalism practiced by our forefathers indicates that it was intended that, because the District was administered by Congress, the District is represented by all of Congress, therefore it's unneccessary to craft some workaround legislation to create two Seats that don't need to exist.
Here's the scenario for you, if you live in the District: Say you want to go and speak to a congress critter, but you don't have a representative or Senator to go and talk to. In ye olden days, rather than whining perpetually about not having one, people would go to a member of Congress from somewhere else. Anywhere else.
With at least 200 liberal congress critters on Capitol Hill, there's got to be at least one that would sit and listen to your concerns, right? No matter which part of the District you're from, there's got to be someone that you can talk to that shares your values.
Mr. Davis, a POX on thee, for misrepresenting this fair Commonwealth on this issue. Why don't you stick to your conservative roots, and let this be settled constitutionally, sir? Do you even have any conservative roots?
Mr. Davis, a refresher--Consitution, Article I, Section 8:
To exercise exclusive Legislation in all Cases whatsoever, over such District (not exceeding ten Miles square) as may, by Cession of particular States, and the Acceptance of Congress, become the Seat of the Government of the United States
With that in mind, I find it hard to imagine why a Virginian would even think of participating in something like this. Something that's literally un-Constitutional, rather than merely supposedly (think "wall of separation, folks).
Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton and Rep. Thomas M. Davis III reintroduced the D.C. voting rights act yesterday in Congress, giving D.C. residents another chance to gain a House vote.
Mr. Davis, Virginia Republican, and Mrs. Norton, a Democrat and the District's nonvoting congressional delegate, co-sponsored the bill, which last year received bipartisan support in one committee.
Read my lips: NO vote for DC, without a constitutional Amendment. EVER. The federalism practiced by our forefathers indicates that it was intended that, because the District was administered by Congress, the District is represented by all of Congress, therefore it's unneccessary to craft some workaround legislation to create two Seats that don't need to exist.
Here's the scenario for you, if you live in the District: Say you want to go and speak to a congress critter, but you don't have a representative or Senator to go and talk to. In ye olden days, rather than whining perpetually about not having one, people would go to a member of Congress from somewhere else. Anywhere else.
With at least 200 liberal congress critters on Capitol Hill, there's got to be at least one that would sit and listen to your concerns, right? No matter which part of the District you're from, there's got to be someone that you can talk to that shares your values.
Mr. Davis, a POX on thee, for misrepresenting this fair Commonwealth on this issue. Why don't you stick to your conservative roots, and let this be settled constitutionally, sir? Do you even have any conservative roots?
This is a little bit long-winded for the front page, but here's what James Madison, the esteemed Virginian, had to say about the Federal district:
The indispensable necessity of complete authority at the seat of government, carries its own evidence with it. It is a power exercised by every legislature of the Union, I might say of the world, by virtue of its general supremacy. Without it, not only the public authority might be insulted and its proceedings interrupted with impunity; but a dependence of the members of the general government on the State comprehending the seat of the government, for protection in the exercise of their duty, might bring on the national councils an imputation of awe or influence, equally dishonorable to the government and dissatisfactory to the other members of the Confederacy. This consideration has the more weight, as the gradual accumulation of public improvements at the stationary residence of the government would be both too great a public pledge to be left in the hands of a single State, and would create so many obstacles to a removal of the government, as still further to abridge its necessary independence. The extent of this federal district is sufficiently circumscribed to satisfy every jealousy of an opposite nature. And as it is to be appropriated to this use with the consent of the State ceding it; as the State will no doubt provide in the compact for the rights and the consent of the citizens inhabiting it; as the inhabitants will find sufficient inducements of interest to become willing parties to the cession; as they will have had their voice in the election of the government which is to exercise authority over them; as a municipal legislature for local purposes, derived from their own suffrages, will of course be allowed them; and as the authority of the legislature of the State, and of the inhabitants of the ceded part of it, to concur in the cession, will be derived from the whole people of the State in their adoption of the Constitution, every imaginable objection seems to be obviated.
I don't think that Madison quote has anything to do with whether or not the District should be able to elect representatives to Congress. Madison is just saying that the federal government should have complete control of the District, and that the states ceding territory retain no authority. Nobody's arguing against that.
No representation, my foot.
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