51st State

Matthew Yglesias wants DC to become a state. This seems silly to me. If the citizens of the district want representation for their taxation they should allow themselves to be annexed into Virginia and/or Maryland.

While we're busy redoing the states, I think we need to add Puerto Rico (which is just ahead of Oregon in population), and have the less populous states merge with their neighbors: Montana, Wyoming, South Dakota, and North Dakota would all be one state. Delaware, you're in Maryland. Vermont, learn to get along with New Hampshire. Alaska should revert to territorial status for obvious reasons.

There. That settles that.

See also, U.S. states by population.

Vote Early, Vote Etc.

I took advantage of the early voting on Saturday. Very gratifying, assuming Diebold doesn't eat my ballot. Now all those negative commercials on the TeeVee just seem sad -- as do my neighbors' McCain signs.

Here's hoping the whole Republican revolution and its minions has gasped its collective last.