A Resurgence

I shall rouse myself from this state of blog posting inactivity. I am greatly disturbed by a vote recently passed by the US House of Representatives. The bill would give Washington, D.C. a voting member in Congress. As of now, the bill has not been passed by the Senate. Instead of launching into a tirade of why D.C. should not get a vote in Congress, let me submit facts to the candid reader:

Article 1, Section 8 of the Constitution lists the duties of Congress including the right "to exercise exclusive legislation in all cases whatsoever over such district (not exceeding ten miles square) as may, by cession of particular States and the acceptance of Congress, become the seat of the government of the United States,..."

This section makes it clear the Washington, D.C. is supposed to be under the direct control of Congress. Now, let us look at Article 1, Section 1 which describes what composes Congress.

Art. 1, Section 1 "The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second year by the people of the several States,.."

Likewise, in Section 3 "The Senate of the United States shall be composed of two Senators from each State,..."

Article 1 clearly states that only States (not districts, territories, D.C. Puerto Rico, Guam, other islands etc.) can send members to Congress. Why then, has the House of Representatives just passed this blatantly unconstitutional bill? Is it because some want another liberal vote in Congress? Is it because out of compassion for the non-represented people in D.C.? Is it because of misunderstanding, ignorance, or conniving?

I am convinced more and more that although some are ignorant of the Constitution, many others totally disregard it and pass all sorts of legislation if it suits their wishes.