# Washington DC license plate - How is this possible? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 2, 2015, 4:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021 "2015-07-02T04:03:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2015, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/21 "2015-07-03T18:27:47Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Here is the bigger question. Should ALL Americans get representation in Congress including those in Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, expatriates in foreign countries, etc? I think all resident citizens\* should (so, expatriates excluded). I mean, of course; what kind of democratic republic is it where this is not the case? - Presently some territorial residents are US “nationals,” but not “citizens”–this distinction surely should also disappear. ---
**Author:** ![Ravenman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ravenman/32/2929_2.png) [@Ravenman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ravenman)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2015, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/22 "2015-07-03T18:30:16Z")
We know that Puetro Rico has consistently voted for the status quo when ballots have been taken. But the local sentiment for statehood in DC is overwhelming. Plus, it’s my understanding that residents of those territories don’t pay Federal income taxes. Not true for DC. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2015, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/23 "2015-07-03T18:57:45Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Here is the bigger question. Should ALL Americans get representation in Congress including those in Puerto Rico, Guam, USVI, expatriates in foreign countries, etc? I certainly got my absentee ballot when I lived abroad. If I’m still on the hook for income tax, at the very least I want a vote! ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2015, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/24 "2015-07-03T19:04:28Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > There are several ways to look at this. If the residents of the District wanted individual representation so badly, then move to a state. Another way to look at it is that the entirety of Congress represents the district and its residents. So which congressman do they call when they have a problem? ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2015, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/25 "2015-07-03T19:07:47Z")
> [@Nom\_de\_Plume](#): > > Not quite. It’s slightly more so in the case of D.C. The constitution grants the United States Congress exclusive jurisdiction over the district. Congress can overrule laws passed by D.C. lawmakers. They can also revoke any sitting District lawmaker. > [District of Columbia home rule - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_home_rule) Plus, the present set-up of DC home rule (which includes the provisions you mention) exists entirely at the whim of Congress. Congress could, at any time, revoke home rule altogether and take over direct control over the District. In my view, the raison d’être of DC is quite obsolete. The initial idea was that the federal government should be free from pressure that a state government could try to put on it if it were located in a state; it should have its own area controlled by the federal government itself. That makes sense in a highly centralised system such as the early U.S. where the federal level is weak compared to the states, but as of today the risk is not there. Other federalist systems either have their federal capital located in a subnational entity comparable to a state (like Canada, Germany, or Switzerland), or have a federal district with more far-reaching powers of administration than DC (such as Australia, Brazil, or Mexico), without encountering the problems that were the motivation behind the establishment of DC. The main reason why DC still exists is that it is required by the Constitution itself and that it is therefore awfully difficult to abolish. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2015, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/26 "2015-07-04T06:18:48Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > Maryland has never wanted retrocession, because it would completely disrupt the existing power structure, by creating a large political power base separate from Baltimore. That, and Anacostia. I remember about 20 years ago a Maryland official saying he would happily take NW. ---
**Author:** ![ruadh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/d2c977/32.png) [@ruadh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ruadh)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2015, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/27 "2015-07-04T06:27:11Z")
> [@Schnitte](#): > > The main reason why DC still exists is that it is required by the Constitution itself and that it is therefore awfully difficult to abolish. I don’t think it would be that difficult TBH. The Constitution doesn’t dictate the parameters of the federal district, so that could be trimmed back to cover only the parts of it that actually are federal properties while the residential areas become (part of) a state. It might be a little geographically messy, but I don’t see why it would be unworkably so. IMHO (having grown up in PG county) the reasons DC still exists in its present format are, in no particular order: [ol] [li]Republicans not wanting to create more Democratic seats in Congress[/li][li]Maryland/Virginia politicians oppose statehood because of the possibility of a commuter tax[/li][li]Racism.[/li][/ol] ---
**Author:** ![Lord\_Feldon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lord_feldon/32/341_2.png) [@Lord\_Feldon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lord_Feldon)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2015, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/28 "2015-07-04T07:49:51Z")
> [@Chronos](#): > > While reverting most of the current District to Maryland would be a good solution to the representation problem, it’s not viable right now, with the 23rd Amendment granting DC three electoral votes. You’d need to repeal that, or you’d end up with the First Family casting the entire vote behind those electoral votes (and presumably, being themselves the electors). The 23rd Amendment doesn’t require that the district’s electors be elected, though. Congress could, in the act ceding most of the district back to Maryland, require that three electors be selected based on the national popular vote. Or something else that doesn’t involve an election in the district. ---
**Author:** ![Schnitte](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/schnitte/32/9033_2.png) [@Schnitte](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Schnitte)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2015, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/29 "2015-07-04T11:23:16Z")
For those who are interested, [here](http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=1657125) is a paper from a Department of Justice attorney (writing in his private capacity) arguing that the retrocession of the southern part of DC to Virginia in 1846 was unconstitutional because it violated a multilateral contract between Virginia, Maryland, the federal government and private landowners stipulating that the ceded land would permanently serve as the seat of government. It’s quite a harsh conclusion to arrive at after 170 years. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2015, 11:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/30 "2015-07-04T11:57:14Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > How about just exempting (real, permanent) DC residents from federal income tax, until statehood? Call it an economic stimulus for the capital. Imagine what that would do to rents and property values. On the bright side, no more poor people! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2015, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/31 "2015-07-04T12:45:49Z")
> [@Peremensoe](#): > > How about just exempting (real, permanent) DC residents from federal income tax, until statehood? Call it an economic stimulus for the capital. This has always been my solution. I lived in and around DC for 25 years - and still miss it a bit - but it’s always been in an odd position vis-a-vis representation. I seem to recall there was a kerfluffle about those plates when they were proposed but it blew over. So yeah, Maryland doesn’t want it and no one wants to give DC full representation in Congress so eliminating all federal taxes inside the District strikes me as a good solution. And holy hell would that bring more jobs in. DC would gentrify overnight. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2015, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/32 "2015-07-06T02:15:04Z")
The whole idea of a capital territory is anachronism, past its used by date, old fashioned… not valid any more… Just hand it back to the state … The methods for electing congress and President and so on could do with review too. Maybe the federal court could rule that the constitution was written before better methods of voting were invented, and before the reasons to make a better system became so important (eg the large 3 states gets 12 , or something, votes for president, but all 12 go to one party or the other ? Its never 7 to 5… its not prorata … ) and so that the old fashioned voting system is merely a result of history, and was not meant to be permanently entrenched… ie if there is a better system, use it… The spirit of the constitution is to be fair… That the amendment won’t pass because the people don’t understand voting systems… (better the devil you know ?) ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2015, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/33 "2015-07-06T03:09:31Z")
> [@Alzarian](#): > > I would just imagine that the same people depriving DC representation in Congress, and in favor of keeping things that way, would not be crazy about the citizens of DC promoting the opposing viewpoint - and I guess it is just odd that they haven’t ended that. There’s a political reason, bluntly put that it would just be seen as a blatant punching-down petty “dick move” on their part. Meanwhile letting DC print it and then saying “it is important to hear all points of view” while simply ignoring it as just another part of the landscape, is a more refined way of communicating how much they don’t care. When the DC locally-elected administration was running the place into the ground in the 90s, Congress did not hesitate to override their fiscal functions through a [Financial Control Board](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/District_of_Columbia_Financial_Control_Board). Compared to that, sass on a license plate is a trifling matter that can pass. > [@Donnerwetter](#): > > I agree with the OP. When I first saw a Washington DC license plate with that slogan on it, I thought the driver sure must be a hardcore, militant, militia type figure who was about to do something horrible. Really? Stay away from [New Hampshire](http://www.plateshack.com/y2k/New_Hampshire/nh2012.JPG), then…😉 And anyway it would be deliciously ironic if that’s your reaction since DC Statehood (or at least representation) is very much an Urban Progressive/Democrat cause. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2015, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/34 "2015-07-06T05:39:01Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > I say they should just cede DC back to Maryland. DC’s population is only about 658,000. Only Vermont (626,000) & Wyoming (584,000) have fewer people. Plus, DC is physically tiny as well (only a small fraction of the size of Rhode Island), so it’s pretty hard to take statehood for DC seriously. > > Congress could agree to add 1 representative, who would represent the County of Columbia after it’s given back to Maryland. As part of Maryland, they’d use MD’s senators. This is an excellent reason why Wyoming should cease to be a state. We in California could absorb it without a problem. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2015, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/35 "2015-07-06T12:57:34Z")
> [@TSBG](#): > > This is an excellent reason why Wyoming should cease to be a state. We in California could absorb it without a problem. I also think that California & Texas should be broken up into 2-3 smaller states each, but that’s another debate. Wyoming has a small population, but is phyically a big state, roughly the same size as Colorado. Let’s look at this another way: Imagine that today (the year 2015), Rhode Island applied for statehood. I don’t think I’m going very far out on a limb to say that the general consensus would be “Heck No! You’re way too small! Merge with Massachusetts instead!” Connecticut would probably get the same response, and Delaware would probably be annexed into Maryland. So, why should DC, which is something like 1/20 the size of Rhode Island, and is literally just a city (and not a particularly big one, at that) be considered for statehood? It would be like making Detroit its own state. Ceding the land back to Maryland makes more sense. I do like the idea that the Federal District could be limited to just a few non-residential areas. If they really do need to dodge the federal electors issue, maybe congress could pass a law requiring that the electors must vote “Present”, or abstain from casting any votes. That would do as a workaround until the 23rd ammendment was repealed. ---
**Author:** ![bump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7c8e57/32.png) [@bump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bump)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2015, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/36 "2015-07-06T13:34:14Z")
> [@Diceman](#): > > So, why should DC, which is something like 1/20 the size of Rhode Island, and is literally just a city (and not a particularly big one, at that) be considered for statehood? It would be like making Detroit its own state. Ceding the land back to Maryland makes more sense. I do like the idea that the Federal District could be limited to just a few non-residential areas. > > If they really do need to dodge the federal electors issue, maybe congress could pass a law requiring that the electors must vote “Present”, or abstain from casting any votes. That would do as a workaround until the 23rd ammendment was repealed. I wouldn’t have a problem with 2-3 voting DC House members, but there’s no way on earth they should get 2 senators. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2015, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/37 "2015-07-07T00:36:59Z")
DC’s population is 658,000, Vermont’s is 626,000, and Wyoming’s is 584,000. Vermont has one representative. Wyoming has one representative. They both have two Senators. Why would it make sense for D.C. to have two or three representatives and no Senators? ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2015, 12:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/38 "2015-07-07T12:40:26Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > DC’s population is 658,000, Vermont’s is 626,000, and Wyoming’s is 584,000. Vermont has one representative. Wyoming has one representative. They both have two Senators. Why would it make sense for D.C. to have two or three representatives and no Senators? It doesn’t. It also doesn’t make sense to give a medium-sized city 2 senators. Which is why they should just give it back to Maryland, and provide for a representative. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/39 "2015-07-07T13:39:33Z")
What does being or not being a city have to do with anything? Presumably the amount of representation depends on the number of people. Members of Congress represent people, not sidewalks or fields of wheat or mountains. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2015, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021/40 "2015-07-07T14:14:57Z")
> [@Wendell\_Wagner](#): > > What does being or not being a city have to do with anything? Presumably the amount of representation depends on the number of people. Members of Congress represent people, not sidewalks or fields of wheat or mountains. Representatives represent people. Senators represent the state as a whole. Which leads directly back to the debate on whether or not DC could be taken seriously as a state. My position is that we don’t need to admit an American version of San Marino or Liechtenstein. DC exists at the convenience of the federal government (unlike a state), and IMHO the most appropriate solution to its lack of representation is to dissolve it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/washington-dc-license-plate-how-is-this-possible/724021.md?page=3)