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Dianne Morrison
Potsdam, New York
Cable Company: Time Warner

Taxes. That word made me tremble like a 97-pound weakling, afraid of being pushed around and not knowing how to fight back.

Then one morning as I watched C-SPAN�s Washington Journal, I marveled as the guest, Amity Shlaes, spouted tax verbiage with an eloquent ease. Ms. Shlaes, a tax-maven, was polished and passionate but her strength was her education. I envied her knowledge and was moved to act. I would find a tax topic�something a lightweight could tackle�and after studying it, I would enter the tax fray.

It didn�t take me long. My county legislature was debating the fairness of its sales tax distribution formula. Instead of yawning, I went to work. I read the newspapers. I attended a county legislature meeting. I spoke with public officials. Soon I was confidently spouting phrases like �taxable assessed value� and �equalization rate.�

One snowy night at a public forum, I stood before 15 sober-faced county legislators. With wobbly knees but an unwavering voice, I expressed my opinion�my village was getting the short shrift. The local public radio station picked up the story and featured my voice in a sound bite. I felt like a tax-maven-in-waiting!

So what have I gained? I have a greater appreciation for hard-working public officials. Oh, and the mayor put me on a Tax and Service Equity Committee so I can continue my education. Thank you, C-SPAN, for giving me the push I needed.


ONLINE PRESS KIT >>

Contest Winners
Read the essays of the 25 contest winners.

Press Releases
Sep. 28, 2005 -- Winners Named in C-SPAN Viewer Essay Contest Marking 25 Years of Viewer Calls

Sep. 14, 2005 -- C-SPAN Marks 25 Years Of Viewer Calls-Ins With LIVE, 25-Hour Call-In Program On Oct. 7

Aug. 17, 2005 -- C-SPAN Marks 25 Years Of Viewer Calls-Ins With LIVE, 25-Hour Call-In Program On Oct. 7

News Articles
The Courier-Journal (Louisville, KY) - Oct. 10, 2005
Talkers Magazine - Cover Story Oct. 2005
Jewish World Review - Columnist David Brooks, Nov. 1999

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