Stand Up! for Democracy in D.C. Coalition

The District's leadership class is salivating over a bill in the Senate, S. 1257, that would grant a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives to the District of Columbia and an additional seat to Utah. In his passionless defense of the scheme (June 7-13, 2007 issue of The Washington Informer) , Professor Ronald Walters does not even state what he believes to be the merits of the legislation - not once. Instead, he attacks Republicans and conservatives, while failing to mention that the "DC ONE VOTE" campaign is lead by a Republican - Representative Thomas M. Davis III of Virginia.

Perhaps, Prof. Walters is unable to praise the legislation because it creates a "Colored" seat in the House. We just hope it's by the door. The seat is a "Colored" seat because it is not equal to the seat granted to Utah. For example, federal legislation must be passed by both Houses of Congress, but the D.C. Representative will not be able to promise legislative support from two D.C. senators. Utah will also be rewarded with an extra vote in the Electoral College for the 2008 presidential elections - at a time when that state, can be counted on to support the Republican presidential candidate. D.C., with its Colored seat, will not have an added Electoral College vote. Is this fair and balanced? No, but Walters ignores it. Is Tom Davis a genius or what?

The Colored seat will also not confer local control over the District's budgetary, legislative, or judicial affairs. Yet, local control is the purpose of greater democratic representation - for any jurisdiction except the District. A Colored seat is not the path to full congressional representation and statehood that the District deserves, but if it is by the door, we can at least collect tips.

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