You, the People

This short film is part of a series dedicated to the assertion that crime does not pay. Obviously, it sometimes does, but this fictional story about a city election is meant to demonstrate the importance of each individual's vote. What the film does instead is demonstrate the importance of anti-corruption laws and regulations.

A corrupt incumbent mayor---and the machine that keeps him in power---is opposed by a candidate running on a reform agenda. We see the many tricks and crimes committed by the machine and the lengths it will go to. Some of those methods are still being used today, though they might be nearly unrecognizable due to changes in technology and laws. For example, employees of companies with government contracts are still coerced for contributions, albeit in an indirect and technically legal way.

This film is both instructive and inspirational. It reminds every voter that vigilance is a necessary part of franchise rights. And if local elections are important enough to attract unscrupulous powerbrokers, what is implied about state or national elections?