Open CallOpen Call: Pitch Reels
Taxation without Representation; There's NO DEMOCRACY in D.C. (4:02)
Mary Jane Williams - Washington, D.C.
The Pitch:
Two hundred nineteen years ago Washington, D.C. was established as our nation's capitol. The only way all the states would agree to it was if those who resided here would have no special influence on governmental decision making.
The Constitution was written so that those of us who live within this ten by ten square miles were to have NO say whatsoever on congressional decisions -- in short, no Senators and no Congressperson. (We managed to get a non-voting rep. in 1963. We don't even have a looker-on in the Senate.)
As it says on our license plates, we in D.C. have "Taxation without Representation."
Our national leaders tell us we can "bring democracy to Iraq." But we cannot bring democracy to the 572,000 citizens living in Washington, D.C. (More folks than in Wyoming. Almost as many as live in Vermont and Delaware. In those three states each citizen has a Congressperson AND two Senators representing him/her.)
No other democratic country deprives the citizens of its capitol city the same parliamentary representation that every other citizen enjoys.
I will interview an enlightened member of Congress, i.e. someone from Massachusetts... who will probably say, truth is they listen to their constituents, never to anybody from outside their district/state. So, no, no one in on Capitol Hill is interested in the opinions of those of us who have no representatives in Congress.
I hope to interview Eleanor Holmes Norton, our "non voting" rep of Congress, and people from all ranks of society to ask how they feel about not living in a democracy. I'll interview people in neighboring states who say they are not even aware that if they moved across the Potomac into D.C. they would lose their democratic rights.
I make little one-person crew documentaries. Recently I submitted my movie "Dirty and Dangerous" to a few film festivals but didn't get in. [yet..?.] I'm sorry. I had no luck figuring out how to upload three minutes of it as a sample reel.
My only work on the internet is a three minute video I did the edit for. It's for a non-profit, Cyberlearning.Org, which gives computer training to inner city schools.
(Please know: I did NOT do the too-long, boring, text before and after the body of the video, nor chose the insipid music. Those were added later. I did do the drumbeat sound editing in body of the video.)
12 Comments [Add a comment]
The opinions expressed in the Comments Section of this website are those of the writers/ contributors and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the WGBH Educational Foundation.
- Login or register to post comments
Comments
This is a very important
This is a very important topic. As a resident of DC, I would love to see this film.
Excellent topic that needs
Excellent topic that needs all the publicity it can get. I'd be especially curious to find out how many people don't know that D.C. residents lack representation in Congress.
Taxation without representation
Washington DC has been the neglected city for too long. Mary Jane's movie should do much to correct this travesty. This pitch needs her attention!
Taxation without Representaton
This is a topic that should be brought to the attention of all voters. Focussed interviews with members of Congress who have voted against equal representation for the District sounds like a great idea. This film should be made soon!
Taxation Without Representation
Sue Wright I'll be looking forward to seeing this film made. The subject matter needs to be covered and NOW!
I like the topic!
This should be a hot issue in DC! I'm curious about the pros and cons ... advantages and disadvantages. Interviews... lists... are helpful techniques in getting the message across and both were used in the demo video. Go for it Mary Jane! I hope that this pitch is selected!
Taxation Without Representation
This is shocking to learn, as many of us are not even aware of this restriction! MaryJane is calling attention to a major issue which should seriously concern everybody in the US. Her work and efforts deserve praise, she should be a winner!
Taxation without Representation
Wasn't this one of the primary reasons we impolitely "excused ourselves" from oppressive tyranny a few hundred years ago?!! Or did we?! This topic derserves to be and should be addressed in this format.
DC Statehood Rights - good topic
Agree that this is a good topic. Like the idea of focusing on Norton - she's kewl.
Couldn't tell from reel what to expect from production.
Taxation Without Representation Pitch
Great idea.
This is a very important topic, one that needs all the coverage and attention it can get. It makes sense to include comments from E.H. Norton and other representatives. It would be particularly interesting to find one who thinks that the status quo is fair and can articulate why people living in D.C. should pay taxes but has no representation.
I hope this pitch is selected.
I agree with Mark that a
I agree with Mark that a piece on Eleanor Holmes Norton sounds like it would be more focused for 3 minutes, though I like the direction of the piece as written.
Logistically, though, how would you plan on getting access to these politicians?
Could be good
If the piece focussed, say, on a day in the life of this Eleanor Holmes Norton peson, that could be a quirky, interesting piece.