My question on the state of this country after John Lewis passes away

When I got up this morning, I looked at CNN, and they were doing a story on Lewis and his history. I switched to MSNBC and it was the same with them, a history of John Lewis. I then went to FOX and Neil Cavuto was talking about a congressional seat opening up and could they get a republican in that seat.
At first I was disgusted with Fox, but then I started wondering, if say, Mitch McConnell were to suddenly die, I'm sure Fox would spend a lot of time talking about McConnell, but would CNN and MSNBC pay tribute to him?
Is the country so divided now, that if someone in the opposition party dies, you either ignore it or God forbid, rejoice in someone's death?

This page is a permanent link to the reply below and its nested replies. See all post replies »

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

The Republicans think it’s ok for the citizens of DC to not have voting rights in Congress.

No one seems to care about humanity.
No one seems to care about what the people want.
No one seems to care.

We can do better than this.

RIP John Lewis.

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@JoeyFoxx DC isn't a state. It's a fabrication carved out of Maryland and Virginia. It has no governor, no legislative body, and its operating expenses are paid for by the federal government.

To give it state status would amount to making the federal government a subject of the state of DC. To give it 2 US Senate seats would be a huge disproportionate shift of power into the hands of just a few people.

independentone · M

@Heartlander Kind of like giving a huge disproportionate amount of power to States like Wyoming and Montana? All that power and influence for states with 87 people living in them.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Heartlander A fabrication? So, DC is just an illusion?

Your perspective on this is, frankly, inconsistent with the notion of a government for the people, by the people.

It's fascinating to me that people on the extreme right who continue to whine about their right to influence government as they become a smaller minority are the same people who wish to deny rights to other minority groups.

It's ironic isn't it?

There wasn't some magic fairy that came and painted DC blue. I'm not a fan of either party. Historically, I've tended to be more Republican. But, a great majority of the self-described Republicans are out of touch with the general population and are pandering to minority extremists on the right. The fact is that while the Democrats may also be pandering, they are pandering to where the majority in the country want us to go.

It seems awfully convenient to say something like: "you shouldn't get a vote because you disagree with me"

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@JoeyFoxx I'm not a Republican. My political affiliation is best described as anti-Democrat.

Regardless, DC is not a state but a federal district. I would be OK withDC residents being able vote in either Maryland or Virginia, based on the geography, provided they also paid state income tax.

My opinion would be the same, regardless of which party would benefit.

I think the DC question does raise a more comprehensive question about how all Americans are represented. Should Indian reservations be redefined as states? Should states with diverse ethnic populations be split into different states? Should city and non-urban areas be given separate representation? Should members of the military become citizens of a virtual state?

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Heartlander you went down a bizarre rat hole there. Ethnic boundaries?

SW-User

@Heartlander Most of DC should be split between the two states.

Heartlander · 80-89, M

@JoeyFoxx

For the time being, why not just back up and talk about why Puerto Rico isn't a state.

JoeyFoxx · 51-55, M

@Heartlander better idea. You create a post and we can discuss it there.

I mentioned DC only with regards to recent arguments to block it from having full voting rights as it pertains to the discussion around the passing of John Lewis.

We are WAY off topic now. I’m more than willing to discuss this elsewhere.