My Second-Class Status

Reading the paper online this morning, I stumbled across this. Basically, it's saying that Congress is threatening to mess with the District's budget if the District goes ahead and recognizes gay marriage. Recently, the city's attorney general said that validly married same-sex couples can file joint tax returns. Apparently, this doesn't make Congress too happy.

What makes ME unhappy is that Congress wants to interfere with this. If a majority of District residents want to recognize gay marriage, then it should be recognized. If said majority wants to allow joint tax return filings on District tax returns (not federal returns, mind you, just District returns!) then jointly file away, I say.

Other states have been able to create their own legislation regarding this issue. I guess we as District residents aren't as capable as the rest of the country. And of course, we have no Senator or Congress member to address. I pay federal income tax, and I could be called to serve on a federal jury, yet I have no representation in Congress. Next time you visit the capital city, think about the people you meet there, and how they are treated as second-class Americans. Then decide if you think that's fair or not.