OPINION:
Washington, D.C. was established by annexing land contributed by Virginia and Maryland. Because it was the “seat of government,” the site needed to be free of undue influence by the states. The city exists due to the largesse of the federal government, as does much of the surrounding area. The last thing the country needs is to make statehood of a small city to further entrench political debauchery.
But if we must be “woke” to D.C. as the 51st state, it should be annexed with Virginia and Maryland so as to extend its radius to 50 miles. Thus the “new” state would have an area of about 8,000 square miles and a respectable population of more than 3 million. This new state of like-minded people can have a representative say in a similar proportion to the other states. Best yet, free of these annexed areas, Virginia and Maryland can elect representatives that fairly represent the communities not directly dependent upon the still-small urban center of federal government.
TOM HAGGERTY
Nokesville, VA
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