[Burkeman1]

Having read over the body of this thread I see the usual hysterics on both side of this issue have been displayed.

No- the CFR will not abolish forums like FR, won't suprress individual free speech, won't mean neighborhood spies reporting on what you say to some secret police.

What it will do is even further limit the scope of political debate in this country. It will further solidify the two party strangle hold on this country. And it will even more professionalize the position of "politician" to an even narrower few. Only vast established organizatins with already existing billions behind them will be able to enter the political arena. Under CFR only the establishment connected or the extremeley personally wealthy (and thus establishment) will be able to enter the political arena. To just make sure you are in compliance with the various campiagn laws means you have to have a legal team that you pay hundreds of thousands to every year.

This law is soft totalitarianism. It keeps the average citizen or grassroots movements from even entering the political process. Supression of alternative poltical voices through the over bureaucratization of the political process.

[MineralMan]

"This law is soft totalitarianism. It keeps the average citizen or grassroots movements from even entering the political process. Supression of alternative poltical voices through the over bureaucratization of the political process."

Bingo! Politics over the Constitution. Wins every time.

[aristeides]

Incumbent protection is the name of the game.

[jwalsh07]

Pretty good analysis Burkeman but you're missing an important point and that is the ascension of the press as a privileged class.