StillIRise1963@StillIRise1963@mastodon.world
Now, everyone should understand why DC needs to be a state.
StillIRise1963@StillIRise1963@mastodon.world
*sparkling anxiety* Elf-elyn@Gorfram@beige.party
@StillIRise1963@mastodon.world I ran across something once that made me imagine DC’s “government” in terms of a slavery-era plantation being run by the plantation managers in Congress; and that makes a lot more sense than any other description of it I’ve seen, in a very stomach-turning sort of way.
okanogen VerminEnemyFromWithin@Okanogen@mastodon.social
@StillIRise1963@mastodon.world
Minnesota has 7 million people and 2 senators
California has 40 million people and 2 senators
North Dakota has less than 800,000 people and 2 senators
Alaska has less than 800,000 people and 2 senators
Wyoming has less than 600,000 people and 2 senators
Vermont has less than 700,000 people and 2 senators
Washington DC has over 700,000 people and 0 senators
Make this shit make sense.
Kevin Russell@kevinrns@mstdn.social
@StillIRise1963@mastodon.world
Because DC has more people than Wyoming. And no representation, but are taxed fully.
Vermont has two Senators, and fewer people than DC, and DC doesn't even have its own police chief.
America should throw the T into the harbour.
Jonathan T@JonnyT@mastodon.me.uk
@StillIRise1963@mastodon.world And Puerto Rico, if I'm not mistaken?
TC Won't Give In To Lies@TCatInReality@mastodon.social
@Okanogen@mastodon.social @StillIRise1963@mastodon.world
OK, I'll try.
Since the founding of the nation, the structure of Congress has been driven primarily by accommodations to the wealthy oligarchs of the day.
Originally enslavers, they got more seats in the House. As states were added, they were typically admitted in pairs to allow the oligarchs in the south to maintain their power.
It was never convenient for the large black populace of DC to get even minimal representation in the Senate, so here we are.
Kevin Russell@kevinrns@mstdn.social
@StillIRise1963@mastodon.world
Why doesn't DC have two Senators and Representatives? Well, what areas does America call America but have no Representation? Americans without democracy. Guam is one. Puerto Rico is another. American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands.
What's the same among these states?
Not majority white. Like Washington DC.
DC has the same population as Alaska, Puerto Rico larger than 18 states.
Racism, in law.