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Sanders Adminsitration- 51st State
The Sanders Administration: The 51st State
The idea of a new state being added to the Union was a question that was only weighted upon semi-seriously until very recently. The last state to be admitted to the union was Hawaii, only a few months after Alaska, both of them admitted into the United States of America in 1959, with the ones before being Arizona and New Mexico back in 1912. As such, not many people considered the idea of a 51st state too much until recent history. The rise in social media and its usage within the news and politics have spread awareness to various movements to potentially give rise to these new states. While some have figured Puerto Rico would be one, especially with a referendum back in 2014 (albeit one not included due to various problems with how it went), the big surprise came in what it was.
The District of Columbia.
A statehood movement for DC goes back further than most people would expect it would've. A large part came in regards due to voting rights and recognition, along with a desire for proper representation within the House and the Senate among other governing bodies on the federal level. However, the movement got the boost it needed when in 2016, a districtwide vote was held on whether the nation's capital should become the 51st state. With the vote of majority being "yes" on ~87%, it would seem that people wanted this. However, the excitement built up more with the revelations of then president-elect Bernie Sanders showing public support and indeed, the Progressive branch began working on a bill to help put into to vote for statehood.
Unsurprisingly, it was not so simple. Some problems remained in regards to the size as well as containing only one city alongside various other issues that needed to be hammered. Matters such as name (a new vote was held on whether to maintain the name of New Columbia or change the meaning of DC to the Douglass Commonwealth) along with dealing with further confusion. However, new elements would come into play. During the talkes and discussions and the subsequent information talks about the federal district, it was noted that the capital was bigger than used to be, until the retrogression of Alexandria City and its division with what is now Arlington County. The history behind it, along with the ties to the Civil War raised some questions, especially with the revelation that the retrogressive action may have been unconstitutional due to the "contract clause" and previous presidents, such as President Taft attempted to reverse the decision.
However, rather than go to the Supreme Court, President Bernie Sanders insisted for the city of Alexandria and for Arlington County to show a referendum on the matter, which would be held in April. The move was done to show respect to the people living there, which may have also gathered support for the people living there. While there was understandably some conflict within, especially due to the concerns of potentially weakening the Democratic Party, Sanders noted it was matter of the people living there, which Virgina should respect. Furthermore, since Vieth v. Jubelireri had made political gerrymandering more difficult and would later be augmented to deal with the concerns of racial gerrymandering (which resurrected the term "the Southern strategy" into the zeitgeist), there was a fair more confidence. Eventually, the referendums in both areas would be held. Ultimately, due to a combination of potential economic benefits along with infrastructure agreements, some grassroots movements and various other factors, both Arlington County and Alexandria City would both vote "yes" in solid majorities to joining the new 51st state.
With the support of virtually every Democrat in the Senate and House along with a few moderates coming in, the votes were cast and it went to President Sanders to sign.
The inclusion of the 51st State of the Union, The Douglass Commonwealth (often called DC or Douglass for short.)
The federal buildings were remain in federal control with the diamond-like shape area would become the new state. The new state would host elections in the fall for their candidates of Representatives and Senators along with working for a state constitution and so on. Jokes were flying around on how various US flags would need to be changed. Furthermore, the capital regarding the United States itself would be referred to as Washington City.
Near the end of the disagreements, Sanders asked if he was willing to consider other states admitted into the Union and responded with if the people supported it, which brought attention back to Puerto Rico...
Rough map of The Douglass Commonwealth or DC; Flag of the state of DC
The idea of a new state being added to the Union was a question that was only weighted upon semi-seriously until very recently. The last state to be admitted to the union was Hawaii, only a few months after Alaska, both of them admitted into the United States of America in 1959, with the ones before being Arizona and New Mexico back in 1912. As such, not many people considered the idea of a 51st state too much until recent history. The rise in social media and its usage within the news and politics have spread awareness to various movements to potentially give rise to these new states. While some have figured Puerto Rico would be one, especially with a referendum back in 2014 (albeit one not included due to various problems with how it went), the big surprise came in what it was.
The District of Columbia.
A statehood movement for DC goes back further than most people would expect it would've. A large part came in regards due to voting rights and recognition, along with a desire for proper representation within the House and the Senate among other governing bodies on the federal level. However, the movement got the boost it needed when in 2016, a districtwide vote was held on whether the nation's capital should become the 51st state. With the vote of majority being "yes" on ~87%, it would seem that people wanted this. However, the excitement built up more with the revelations of then president-elect Bernie Sanders showing public support and indeed, the Progressive branch began working on a bill to help put into to vote for statehood.
Unsurprisingly, it was not so simple. Some problems remained in regards to the size as well as containing only one city alongside various other issues that needed to be hammered. Matters such as name (a new vote was held on whether to maintain the name of New Columbia or change the meaning of DC to the Douglass Commonwealth) along with dealing with further confusion. However, new elements would come into play. During the talkes and discussions and the subsequent information talks about the federal district, it was noted that the capital was bigger than used to be, until the retrogression of Alexandria City and its division with what is now Arlington County. The history behind it, along with the ties to the Civil War raised some questions, especially with the revelation that the retrogressive action may have been unconstitutional due to the "contract clause" and previous presidents, such as President Taft attempted to reverse the decision.
However, rather than go to the Supreme Court, President Bernie Sanders insisted for the city of Alexandria and for Arlington County to show a referendum on the matter, which would be held in April. The move was done to show respect to the people living there, which may have also gathered support for the people living there. While there was understandably some conflict within, especially due to the concerns of potentially weakening the Democratic Party, Sanders noted it was matter of the people living there, which Virgina should respect. Furthermore, since Vieth v. Jubelireri had made political gerrymandering more difficult and would later be augmented to deal with the concerns of racial gerrymandering (which resurrected the term "the Southern strategy" into the zeitgeist), there was a fair more confidence. Eventually, the referendums in both areas would be held. Ultimately, due to a combination of potential economic benefits along with infrastructure agreements, some grassroots movements and various other factors, both Arlington County and Alexandria City would both vote "yes" in solid majorities to joining the new 51st state.
With the support of virtually every Democrat in the Senate and House along with a few moderates coming in, the votes were cast and it went to President Sanders to sign.
The inclusion of the 51st State of the Union, The Douglass Commonwealth (often called DC or Douglass for short.)
The federal buildings were remain in federal control with the diamond-like shape area would become the new state. The new state would host elections in the fall for their candidates of Representatives and Senators along with working for a state constitution and so on. Jokes were flying around on how various US flags would need to be changed. Furthermore, the capital regarding the United States itself would be referred to as Washington City.
Near the end of the disagreements, Sanders asked if he was willing to consider other states admitted into the Union and responded with if the people supported it, which brought attention back to Puerto Rico...
Rough map of The Douglass Commonwealth or DC; Flag of the state of DC
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