The words Taxation Without Representation usually conjure up images of colonial America—of battles fought long ago. But for the nearly 600,000 residents of the capital of the United States, taxation without representation is still very much a reality.
People living in the capital of the “free world” pay federal taxes, fight for the country in wars, and yet have no vote in the House or the Senate. The United States is the only democracy in the world in which residents of the capital are denied representation in the national legislature.
And the injustices don’t stop there. For years, DC, a predominantly black city, was ruled by Congressional committees lead by some of the most blatantly racist members of Congress who consistently denied funding and support to the city’s black population.
Over the years, Congress has repeatedly attempted to force policies on DC that go against popular opinion in the city by attempting to reinstate the death penalty, revoke DC’s gun ban laws and rename a major street in the city Ronald Reagan Boulevard. Even today, residents still only have limited home rule and have no legislative, judicial, or budgetary autonomy.
The fight for democracy in DC cannot be won without the support of non-DC residents. There are a number of bills pending in Congress that would grant DC voting representation in the House at the very least. Whether or not they pass depends upon the support of the entire nation.
For more information on how you can help, please visit DCvote.org. If you are interested in joining a new student movement for DC voting rights, Students for DC Vote, please contact me.
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