Coin Tossed
Well, it was worth a shot. When District of Columbia officials filed their application with the U.S. Mint for a design for a commemorative quarter, they made a couple of suggestions for inscriptions on the coin: "No Taxation Without Representation" and "Taxation Without Representation." Those refer, of course, to the District's lack of full representation in Congress.
Setting aside the fact that the two suggestions are diametrically opposite statements, Mint officials quickly rejected the suggestions for another reason, the Washington Post reports: They violated the agency's policy against controversial slogans on commemorative coins.
"Changing how the District of Columbia . . . is represented in Congress is a contemporary political issue on which there presently is no national consensus and over which reasonable minds differ," Mint officials said.
So what's the District suggesting as an alternative? "Justicia omnibus" -- that is, "justice for all." Given that it's Washington, it does seem fitting to get the word "omnibus" in there.
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how about "corruption without Equal"
dan ketter Posted Thursday, February 28, 2008 6:47 PM"Controversy" implies dispute--but no one is arguing that DC residents have equal representation in Congress. The FACT that we are taxed without representation cannot be disputed, and the phrase itself is not suggesting any change. Simply stating a fact is not controversial.
"Taxation without representation" is a historic, educational, and uncontroversial phrase. It's also much more reserved than "Live free or die," which was approved for New Hampshire’s design.
Rejecting DC's designs due to "controversy" is inappropriate and unfair. This decision should be disputed! Why bother to submit the designs if we're not willing to defend them? It's disappointing to see Mayor Fenty cave-in so easily.
One day DC will have equal representation, but it will require many determined efforts--including using the phrase in designs such as the commemorative quarter, and explaining and defending its use when it's questioned.
Until we get equal representation (and relief from Congressional and federal meddling in our local affairs that states don’t suffer), perhaps we should use another local phrase to explain how we Feel Like...
"BUSTIN' LOOSE" (as in the song by Chuck Brown)
Dale Sundstrom Posted Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:35 PMWhy is it the DC people I see trotting out the motto "No Taxation Without Representation" always want the representation? Wouldn't they be just as happy to do away with the taxation?
Maybe they should consider Guam's dispensation, where I think their government gets federally imposed taxes that would otherwise go to the US Treasury. Seeing how DC officials complain about money, I wonder why they don't aim for this rather than jockeying for representation with the likes of as Vermont and North Dakota.
Garrett Schmitt Posted Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:21 PMTo borrow one from Mayor Barry: outside of all the activists constantly whining about it, DC congressional representation has one of the lowest controversy rates in the country.
Happy Fed Posted Friday, February 29, 2008 7:48 AMThe District should quit whining-if they are serious about "Representation" they should petition to be returned to Maryland-just like the portion of the District south of the Potomac was seded back to Virginia. The truth is the District wants the power of 2 Senators! They are the Capital of our Nation and should just get over it-the waste and corruption in DC is without equal-until they show responisibility and ability they do not deserve statehood and Maryland will not even want them back!!!
cam Posted Friday, February 29, 2008 8:48 AMHow about a compromise?:
- The District gives up its seat in the House of Representatives
- The Mint gives them "Taxation without Representation"
otherwise, the slogan isn't really true.....
tlj Posted Friday, February 29, 2008 11:36 AMEveryone choosing to live in D.C. knew the congressional representation situation when they made their decision. It was documented in the constitution 200+ years ago. Move to Maryland or Virginia if you want to vote for senators. Otherwise, quite whining.
Sometimes Happy Fed Posted Friday, February 29, 2008 11:54 AMDoesn't anyone else see the irony here. The "controversial" slogan points out the lack of representation that is afforded states. The slogan was proposed for a STATE COIN, not a District Coin!
Ironical Posted Friday, February 29, 2008 11:56 AMWhy don't they just put "Taxation without Representation " on one side and "No Taxation without Representation" on the other side of the same coin? then everyone would be happy. Probably some would say that "justicia omnibus" is also controversial...
Kay Posted Friday, February 29, 2008 5:07 PMWhy don't they just put "Taxation without Representation " on one side and "No Taxation without Representation" on the other side of the same coin? then everyone would be happy. Probably some would say that "justicia omnibus" is also controversial...
Kay Posted Friday, February 29, 2008 5:07 PM