TO:
Editorial and Opinion Writers
FROM: President
Mary G. Wilson, League of
Women Voters of the U.S.
DATE:
April 12,
2007
RE: Taxation
Without Representation in our Nation’s Capital
I am writing to urge you
to devote space in your papers to educate voters on the grievous injustice suffered byAmerican citizens residing in our nation’s
capital. Through our DC Voting Rights Education
Project,
the League of Women Votersis focusing national attention
on the lack of voting rights in Washington, DC. Since this issue is, at
long last, receiving serious consideration by the U.S. Congress, now is
an excellent time for you to join us
in raising the awareness of the nation’s voters about this
issue.
The
District of
Columbia is home to
teachers, nurses, firefighters and small business owners just like your
hometown. These
citizens pay federal taxes, serve in the military, and work to improve
their community like your readers, yet they are denied full voting
representation in Congress. The more than half a million citizens
residing in the District of Columbia have no say when it comes to shaping the important policies
that affect their lives. That’s taxation without representation, and 82 percent of
Americans polled agree: it’s just
plain wrong.
Now, for the first time
in decades, this issue is receiving serious attention from our
nation’s lawmakers. Legislation is
moving through the House of Representatives that would take an important
step forward by providing DC citizens a voting representative in
Congress, and now is the time to foster a public debate on the real
meaning of “one person, one vote.”
Your readers need to know
that their fellow Americans in our nation’s capital are denied the
rights we, as citizens, are guaranteed. I
encourage you to visit www.lwv.org/DCVotingRightsto learn more about this great
injustice.
Writers interested in discussing this or other League projects
and speaking with National League President
Mary G.
Wilson, should contact Maggie
Duncan in the
League’s press office at 202-263-1332 or mduncan@lwv.org.
###
The DC Voting Rights
Education Project is a public education and outreach project that aims
to build public awareness of the unique relationship between Congress
and District of Columbia citizens, specifically their lack of full voting
rights.
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