You do know that Chicago has SIX times the population that DC has, right? If you want the "benefits" of living in a big city, quit yer bitchin and move to one.
If you're gonna be snarky at least choose relevent facts.
I think we can all agree that metro populations are a more accurate representation.
At last count the DC metro area was ranked 8th at 5,476,241 (just 70K below Miami).
Chicago was 3rd with 9,580,567.
That's not even TWICE the population of the still very large Chicago.
DC is obviously hampered by a multitude of restrictions from not being/part of a state. Being wedged between two states that aren't too willing to give proper funding for the metro region infrastructure doesn't help.
So it can't...
-Have really cool big tall buildings to increase population within the city proper. It also has to fight with VA and MD suburbs for companies to relocate within the city.
-Develop and build really cool modern parks like Millennium
-Properly maintain its rapid transit system.
-Etc, etc...
THAT is why you will never see a bunch of really cool music festivals in DC. Hey, most of the museums are free! (and really cool.)