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states, and only 16 states gave their approval in that time, far short of the three-quarters
(currently 38) required.

District sympathizers have tried to craft solutions that would pass constitutional muster
and also avoid inflaming partisan or other passions. Congressman Ralph Regula, a
Republican from Ohio, believes that the time is long past to fix the “appalling breach in our
democracy” that deprives District residents of voting representation in the House and
Senate. His solution is to shrink the District down to a tiny enclave of federal buildings and
return the office and residential areas to Maryland, of which the territory was originally a
part. This notion is often referred to as retrocession. “Retrocession would allow D.C. to use
Maryland state facilities and all other state-funded institutions,” Regula has said. “The
District could also finally be run like any other major city in the U.S.”75

Conclusion

There are enduring problems of inequity in the U.S. political system that lead to diminished
access for certain groups of voters, frequently the poor and people of color, to full
participation in the political process. Efforts to correct these injustices are ongoing, though
the federal nature of the American system sometimes disperses decision-making and
responsibility and makes resolution more difficult.

Longevity in office and apparently uncompetitive elections are an affront to a significant
minority, abetted by gerrymandering, the capture of public resources, and other
advantages of incumbency. Yet, as has been discussed, the nature of the problem is
frequently misstated, and the potential virtues of long incumbency in the legislature are
often overlooked. For instance, a secure district enables a lawmaker to challenge the
president, or leaders of his own party, on important issues, and lengthy service allows
legislators to develop areas of expertise that enhance the quality of their oversight of the
executive branch.

Debate about regulatory limits on contributions to and spending by candidates will surely
continue. The corruption of public officials, in which they take action—whether spending
public money, enacting laws or regulations, or wielding some other form of influence—in
return for personal payments or campaign donations, occurs regularly and in both parties,
but does not describe the behavior of the vast majority of elected officials in America.
Indeed, many incur financial hardship or forgo other opportunities in order to serve in
public office.

Today’s American is able to choose the country’s leaders in increasingly fair processes. U.S.
citizens have demonstrated again and again that they can oust incumbent officials at all
levels whose performance is not satisfactory. Despite its flaws, the system fundamentally
works, providing a substantial measure of democratic accountability and regular rotation in
government.

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