The residents of Washington DC are pay the highest per capita federal tax in the entire United States. Yet they are not allowed voting representation in the US Congress. Taxation without representation is wrong-- in fact, it was the main issue that led the American colonies to fight for their independence. Washington DC should receive statehood and the same representation is any other state.

Question

A student is developing a counterclaim to this argument. Which evidence would be most helpful in developing a fair and effective county clerk?
A. In a recent national pole, nearly 80% of one major party's voters said that they would not support making Washington DC a state.
B. The 23rd amendment to the US Constitution granted Washington, DC residents the right to vote in all presidential elections and the electoral college.
C. As the capital of the United States, Washington, DC was never meant to be a state because the founding Fathers feared its people would have too much influence.
D. Residence of Puerto Rico, Guam, American Samoa, and other US territories are not allowed voting representation in the US Congress either.

Answer 1

To develop a fair and effective counterclaim to the argument for Washington, DC statehood based on the principle of "taxation without representation," the most helpful evidence would be:

C. As the capital of the United States, Washington, DC was never meant to be a state because the Founding Fathers feared its people would have too much influence.

This option directly addresses the historical context and intentions behind the establishment of Washington, DC as a federal district, setting it apart from other states. It provides an argument that aligns with the original framework of the United States and the concerns of the Founding Fathers regarding the unique status of the capital. This can effectively challenge the notion that DC should have the same representation as other states.