I support the move but the headline is kind of misleading. The ballot initiative was limited to directing the police chief to make these crimes the "lowest priority" but they are still just as illegal as before and carry the same penalties. I'm not even sure this directive is binding. As the mayor (who did not particularly support the measure) pointed out, it's not like this was a high priority to begin with.
A proper decriminalization or perhaps even legalization would have passed, but DC citizens lack the same rights over their own local laws that any other American living in a state would enjoy. DC deserves statehood.
Well, among other problems with that idea: neither DC nor Maryland wants it and there is no mechanism to force Maryland to alter its borders against its will.
It is not a power grab to give the citizens of DC the same rights as other Americans, it is correcting an injustice. If your concern is about DC then having too much power, I'd encourage you to look at the actual plan which preserves a core federal district that includes Congress and the Mall.
How noble, selfless, righteous and pure, for the political party which has just taken power with the narrowest of margins to suddenly take interest in "correcting an injustice" in a manner that secures additional power! Puerto Rico statehood will certainly be next; then, perhaps we can demand justice for cities like, say, Austin, on the premise that their citizens' representation is diluted by sharing senators with the rest of Texas.
How selfish and ignoble is it to oppose DC rights merely because they might benefit a political party you oppose?
There is nothing suspicious about the timing. DC has been fighting for statehood in earnest since the 1800s. There was a huge push in the 60s culminating in the 23rd Amendment, which for the first time allowed DC residents to vote for President. This was considered a matter of fairness and was broadly supported by both parties.
The slippery slope argument about Austin is ridiculous.
The "DC area" that is already in Maryland... will be unaffected. The "DC area" residents who reside in DC proper will have Congressional representation and the freedom to spend their own local tax dollars as they please.
Is there something about wealth that is disqualifying from full participation in American democracy? Do we apply that standard elsewhere? Like any other city, there are both rich and very poor neighborhoods. Something like 1 in 5 DC residents lives in poverty.
A proper decriminalization or perhaps even legalization would have passed, but DC citizens lack the same rights over their own local laws that any other American living in a state would enjoy. DC deserves statehood.