Residents Call for 'Taxation Without Representation' on DC Quarter Design

[Guest Kevin Kiger]

With the fate of the District of Columbia’s commemorative quarter now in the hands of the U.S. Mint, speculation on its design is running high. After a public comment period, the District government submitted three design narratives yesterday, all containing the phrase “Taxation Without Representation” or “No Taxation Without Representation.”

 

The U.S. Mint criteria for the Quarters Program requests designs that “promote the diffusion of knowledge among the youth of the United States” about the history, geography and diversity of “our national heritage.” “Taxation Without Representation” is a daily fact of life for District residents and accurately reflects the history of our nation’s capital. Since 1801, residents of the capital have called for an end to “Taxation Without Representation.” Centuries later, nearly 600,000 Americans living in Washington, DC, pay the second highest per capita federal income taxes in the country but are denied a vote in Congress.

 

Yet, according to Stephanie Scott, Secretary of the District of Columbia, the U.S. Mint has already expressed its concern about the "controversial" design ideas proposed. The real controversy is that in the world’s greatest democracy more than half a million citizens are left without congressional representation.

 

"Our nation's capital is home to more than panda bears and monuments. It’s home to hard-working, tax-paying Americans who are denied a vote in the Congress that governs them," said Ilir Zherka, DC Vote Executive Director. "I'm sure the Mint would love to see a panda bear on the District's quarter. We wouldn’t mind seeing that either... as long as the panda is wearing a 'Taxation Without Representation' t-shirt."

[Psycho]

The Duke Ellington coin will be the choice as it is not controversial.