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David Perlmutter's avatar

The floating capital thing also existed in Canada, with several different places being capital until they settled on Ottawa. However, unlike the situation in D.C., Ottawa has a functioning municipal government while also being subject to the provincial laws of Ontario; there has never been a need nor a desire for it to exist as a separate territory apart from the rest of the country.

Christopher Dake's avatar

I doubt there are any issues with the province trying to hold the government hostage. The setup and creation of DC is just terrible.

The solution, however, is not to give it back to Maryland.

David Perlmutter's avatar

No- if the feds and the provinces have disputes, they negotiate terms. Quebec can be a bit prickly representing the Francophone population, but otherwise things work fine most of the time.

I often wonder if dividing capital duties between cities might work. Bolivia and South Africa have shown that it can.

Christopher Dake's avatar

Interesting about dividing capital duties among cities. I'll have to do some research on that.

I'm all for moving out more and more departments from DC, it allows for the argument for more representation. At least in my view.

Joanne Smith's avatar

Chris, question about the wages earned by the women in the Triangle factory in 1911 - Did you really mean $3/hour in 1911 dollars, or did you mean they earned what would equate to $3/hour in today's dollars?

Christopher Dake's avatar

$3 in our money.