Why is it important to Citizens of Prince George’s County?

The future of Washington, DC is intimately related with the future of Prince George’s County, due to its close proximity and economic bonds that inexorably bind them together. However, the “economy” of our region is really only the business of the federal government, whose future now promises to become greatly reduced in size and scope in the new age of Trump.

Some Maryland legislators, such as Senator Van Hollen, see the future of DC as the next 51^st state. However, this “statehood” approach is not popular with the whole population of the nation as it would significantly deviate from its original purpose and function as the seat of of our nation’s government. In this function, the US Constitution places the District squarely under the supervision and control of Congress. In addition, DC doesn’t have the typical characteristics of a sovereign state, with a population of free, independent people. Rather, it is more akin to an enslaved, dependent workforce population, almost totally controlled by the national government.

If voting rights for DC residents is the real motivation for DC “statehood”, a more logical solution would be to cede back to Maryland the largely residential portion of the District to Maryland, such as by creating two separate Maryland counties, perhaps one called “New Columbia” and the other, “Anacostia”. This was a solution proposed by Maryland state legislators in the past, but has been vigorously opposed by local politicians and their supporters who now enjoy the power and control of so-called “home rule” over a servile, dependent population, that is lavishly bankrolled by payroll and deep-pocket revenue from the US Treasury.

The present local “home rule” governance of DC, has therefore failed in its basic function to care for District citizens, due to massive corruption, mismanagement, and indifference to the most basic needs of civil society, especially as related to public education and crime prevention. The right solution, therefore, is to return the District to its original control by US Congress, which would allow for the creation of some very most useful, innovative ideas in public education and other services, which could serve as a model of quality for other jurisdictions to follow. Here is one proposal to bring about a return to control of the District by the US Congress as before.

Restore US Control over District of Columbia

The End Goal:

Commissioner of District of Columbia: – appointed by US Congress; serves as chief executive officer of the District to oversee establishment and enforcement of all local laws and regulations, tax and budget affairs, operation of all agencies and departments, and appointment of all personnel, such as police chief and superintendent of public schools. [The Commissioner reports to and is under the authority of US Congress; i.e., Committee of DC Affairs]

Advisory Commission: Elected by residents of DC by ward in elections supervised by the DC Commissioner. This commission offers advice and counsel to Commissioner on matters pertaining to the District, such as structure/operation of agencies and appointment of specific personnel. The Commissioner may also designate other functions to this Commission.

How to get there

1. Congress passes a law abolishing the current Mayor-City Council government, establishing in its place a new Commissioner-type government. [research prior DC commission government for specific language]
2. In the new law, establish a transition time for current DC government to phase out.
3. In transition period, appoint a transition team to re-write regulations to assure a public education system based on laws of nature; parent choice, ward-based charter schools; re-write charter school laws, include appointment and oversight of “charter review committee”
4. US Congress appoint a committee to study feasibility of ceding a large portion of the current DC residential area adjacent to Maryland back to the state of Maryland, such as proposed before (former Maryland State Delegate Denbrow). [follow the same legislative path that ceded prior portion of DC to Virginia many years ago.]
5. District of Columbia, after ceding back portions to Maryland, now consists of all significant federal buildings, US Capitol, White House, monuments, etc.
6. Remove all non-essential federal agencies and departments outside of the new bounds of District of Columbia; de-centralized around the country as much as possible.

The Future of Prince George’s County

Of course, the future of Prince George’s County would certainly follow closely the future developments for the District of Columbia. So, PG citizens could very well benefit from the new programs and innovative ideas to emerge from the US Congress control of the District. Still, our county would benefit from the regional economy of proximity to the nation’s capital, which remains an important point of contact for all America as well.

In any case, it’s time now to start adjusting to the new future, which cannot long rely on a tax base propped up by a bloated federal workforce economy, which is bound to soon come to an end. And, you don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind is blowing. The times, they are a changing.