Are you looking for an effective documentary to inform people at a house party for an important progressive political cause whether it be for or against a key ballot initiative, candidate, or general call to action for letter writing and calling your congressperson for a key piece of legislation? Just like key texts and movies such as Lakoff's Don't Think An Elephant and a Michael Moore movie, Connect the Dots Production provides the Heist: Who Stole the American Dream? (And How We Can Get it Back).

The movie is produced by political activist and filmmaker, Dnald Goldmacher and investigate research journalist, Frances Causey (with effective associate producers, East Bay DFA organizer Tara Marchant as well as W. Wilder Kinght II and Jennifer Schmidt) and narrated by Thom Hartmann and includes interviews with many key progressive figures such as Donna Edwards and Bernie Sanders. The film covers the key legislation and safeguards that were brought in from the New Deal such as the Glass-Steagall Act and how big business in america has been making a point to remove and weaken many such safeguards since the 1970s. The movie covers two key documents: Lewis Powell's "Attack on the American Free Enterprise System," a memo that was being shared throughout the business community, and then when Reagan came into office the National Heritage Foundation's "Mandate for Leadership." Throughout the film as the movie covers trends in the past thirty years, it refers back effectively to these key documents so there is general understanding that there was in writing the current types of damaging policies we have now that have decimated Unions and union membership in the United States, undermined the Middle Class and brought the banking system and risks back for the most part to the pre-New Deal era. It also includes the general planned media takeover goals as well.

With effective graphics and clear documented statistics, the movie effectively provides a general understanding to the movie viewer in clear, concise framable type of language what has happened the past forty years. The movie concludes with several suggestions of grassroots action one can do to fight the current damaging trends and policies that are in place and seem for the moment, firmly entrenched. It includes the recent protests in Wisconsin and of the Occupy Wall Street Movement but also includes other suggestions efforts that can be made such as working toward Clean Money campaigns.

The Heist DVD comes in two variations-- the full 76 minute documentary and a shortened 22 minute trailer. The 22 minute trailer would likely be more beneficial for the more briefer house party or display at a democratic club meeting while the longer movie could be used for a more former movie showing or something you can refer to on your time or to convince others in a more relaxed home atmosphere. The movie's website which includes the full 22 minute trailer that you can watch is at: http://www.heist-themovie.com/

The Heist is a definite powerful documentary and an essential campaign tool not only for local/state and nationwide elections but for general grassroots progressive organizing as well, for many years to come.

The Heist will be featured on Friday's Screening Showcase #3 at 4:30 p.m., in room 550 of Netroots Nation.