'Your papers, please' must never be heard in America
Independent voices from the TWT Communities
The District's plan to pursue financial freedom from Congress through an amendment to the D.C. charter is being hailed after the prospect of budget autonomy has seemingly gone nowhere in the 18 months since it was proposed by a prominent congressional Republican.
The most worrisome time for Mitt Romney could be post-podium, when the presidential debate ends and the elite press descends, to gnaw on his words until voters are left with just a few bits of red meat — and lots of pre-digested conclusions.
D.C. Mayor Vincent C. Gray is poised to use the Democratic National Convention to promote the District's right to local budget autonomy, a goal apparently within grasp as the city battles for voting rights in Congress or even statehood.
The man former President George W. Bush once called "Brownie" has emerged with his own take on the nation's clashes with nature, a phenomenon that has been most keenly felt in recent weeks.
Clark Ray has worked for Bill Clinton, Al and Tipper Gore, and D.C. Mayors Anthony A. Williams and Adrian M. Fenty. As he goes door to door and runs from forum to forum in the race for an at-large D.C. Council seat, he informs voters of his Democratic pedigree.
The measure, he said, is "fraught with peril" and could result in legal challenges.
"Rosa Parks didn't say it's OK to sit in the middle of the bus," he told the committee.
