A better route to D.C. statehood

So the members of the New Hampshire Committee on State, Federal Relations and Veterans Affairs believe that D.C. statehood [“A cold shoulder for D.C. statehood,” Metro, Jan. 28] is unconstitutional. Apparently, they are not concerned about the way in which taxation without representation violates basic American tenets.

A better tactic for D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray (D) and his team (though probably more costly) would be to bring to the American people the same education they attempted to bring to the New Hampshire committee. Most people probably don’t understand how the District operates, how it is represented in Congress or why residents must pay taxes although their congressional representation is not equal to that of Americans who live in states. If members of the statehood team continue to meet with state government committees, their voices will never be heard beyond the committee walls.

The real reason D.C. statehood is doomed is because it would probably add more Democratic representation in Congress. The GOP simply isn’t going to tolerate that. How nice that the party can pick and choose the parts of the Founders’ beliefs it wants to follow and those it wants to ignore.

Liz Hobbins, Laurel