CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
Adult females, young and elderly, African American male respond to the question: "What does it mean to be represented in Congress?"; parade or march in BG. VS of male and female Congressional representatives, including U.S. House Representatives Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Jim Wright (D-TX) meeting different groups of constituents. Host Ed Newman in the Congresswomen's reading room, discusses the expansion of the idea of representation to include more of the diverse population, contrast to the Founding Fathers' wishes to serve the interests of the wealthy classes. Show will consider how "representative" the Congress is today. Rep. Lyle Williams (R-OH) says he's taken some flack from critics because of his occupation as a barber.
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
U.S. House Representative Lyle Williams (R-OH) states that the "beauty of the system" is that anyone could serve in Congress. Side view of adult Caucasian Congressmen around the House Rostrum.
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
U.S. House Representative Lyle Williams (R-OH) speaking. Adult men and women walking in opposite directions on city sidewalk. VS of adult Caucasian Congressmen speaking from House well. Political Scientist Roger Davidson, states the predominance of this profile is a reflection of who has authority in society. Graphics superimposed over House Rostrum showing Congressional makeup in 1980. Rep. Julian Dixon (D-CA) says there's a systematic effort to keep minorities out of power. Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) says that women and minorities face roadblocks to serving. Rep. Tim Wirth (D-CO) says that Watergate brought many younger members to Congress, discusses the Vietnam generation versus the WWII generation in government. U.S. Senator David Durenberger (R-MN) at a fundraiser, standing with an elderly adult Caucasian male and female. Rep. Stark says that he's in fact one of the "rich guys" that make up a large part of Congress, although he's spent his own money on his own campaign.
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
U.S. House Representative Lyle Williams (R-OH) states that the cost of elections seems to be making it more of a rich man's club. VS of adult Caucasian male (and one female) assembly line workers in a Jeep plant. Rep. Williams says that his job as a barber is an example of how a Congressman should serve the whole public. VS of a Congressional Committee meeting. Political scientist, Roger Davidson, states that lawyers predominate because lawyers work with so many political entities on the lower levels, and have flexible schedules to campaign. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC) says the legal background is good training for Congress because its main business is to make laws. Rep. Bob Edgar (D-PA) says that lawyers tend to split hairs and don't consider the impact of the law. U.S. Senator Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) says there is some skill in making government work, so a "professional" background is important.
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
Political scientist, Roger Davidson, states that Congress is less "representative" symbolically because its members don't have blue-collar backgrounds, although there's no reason why others can't serve the interests of those citizens. Host Ed Newman discusses the balance between the Senate and House in how representation is apportioned; sitting with Norman Ornstein in Congresswomen's reading room. Ornstein discusses regional blocs in Congress as a powerful force, although it might be fading. U.S. House Representative Timothy Wirth (D-CO) says that the different regions have strong economic interests that often come into conflict. Crops growing on farmland. Mining or industrial operation nestled within desert mountains. High angle view of Hawaiian beach. Snow covered park. VS of adult Caucasian and African American men and women standing on city streets, wearing winter clothing. House rostrum during session of Congress.
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
Political scientist, Roger Davidson, states that in the past, regional loyalties were stronger even than party lines.
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
Political scientist, Roger Davidson, provides a brief description of the racial, economic makeup of the South
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
Political scientist, Roger Davidson, states that racial issues led to a long tradition in the South of opposing strong central government.
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Political Re-alignment
Newspaper article: "Rayburn Assails Roosevelt Critics As He Pledges 'Unfailing Support'". Political scientist, Bruce Oppenheimer, discusses the way that the New Deal created a new set of loyalties on party lines, frequent rebellion of Southern democrats to vote with Republicans.
1983 - CONGRESS: WE THE PEOPLE - Representation
Voting Rights Act. Adult African American male, flanked by two adult African American females, testifying at Congressional hearing. U.S. House Representative John Spratt (D-SC) talks about the growing influence of black voters after 1965. VS of adult African American men and women attending a Congressional hearing. Pat Henderson, from Birmingham, Alabama, speaking to a Congressional hearing, asks Congress to cut defense and the military spending rather than cutting social spending programs.