Bloggers Might be Fined $200,000 by the Federal Gov’t

Men's News Daily ^ | 1/18/07 | Warner Todd Huston

[Mobile Vulgus]

Thomas Paine wrote one of the most famous tracts of the Revolutionary era. Titled "The Rights of Man", it was a tract that many said, should it not have existed, the Revolution could not have occurred. In fact, historians contend rightfully, that the writings of our founders and their contemporaries were incredibly important as much for their content as for their ability to spread the ideas over which we went to war with Great Britain across the hard to travel geography of early America.

Our Founders were true "grassroots" organizers. Without their words, we could not have won the Revolution.

Now the Federal government wants to destroy that same sort of process used to spur our citizens to free themselves from Monarchical despotism. The Federal government today wants to quash the ability of small citizen's groups to disseminate information to like minded people by instituting oppressive reporting rules and by claiming they are "lobbyists" bound by Congressional oversight. And if they don't they face oppressive fines.

Under the legislation, grass-roots organizations that attempt to "influence the general public" to contact members of Congress would have to register as lobbyists and file financial reports -- or face a $200,000 fine. The requirements could apply to a preacher who goes on TV or radio and tells listeners to call their congressman in support of a particular issue, such as a constitutional amendment against homosexual "marriage."

It could also affect internet Bloggers and emailing services that advocate for certain policies or political positions before an audience of hundreds or thousands of continuing visitors to their sites.

But issue groups spanning the political spectrum -- from National Right to Life and Focus on the Family to the League of Conservation Voters and the American Civil Liberties Union -- say the expanded definition of lobbyist will imperil citizens' constitutional rights to free speech and to petition the government.

"This bill goes way too far," said Caroline Fredrickson, director of the ACLU's Washington legislative office. "This gets at the citizen groups who are really the ones making their voices heard about our democracy."

And so it does. With their ballot box win behind them and in their rush to fool the public that they are "doing something", the Democrats are trying to force a bill on the American people that is anti-American and little more than a refined version of the Alien and Sedition Acts of the 1790s that threw newspaper editors and political leaders in jail in this country.

Senator Robert F. Bennett (R., Utah) attempted to add an amendment to the bill that would exempt grassroots agencies.

"This should be struck from the bill," Mr. Bennett said. "I was taught in civics in high school that [contacting Congress members] was what we were supposed to do."

Not if your imperial Democratic Senate has their druthers, Mr. Bennett.

Our Founders fought for the God given rights of men and one of those rights is the right to free political speech. Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Thomas Paine and many hundreds of their brothers at arms toiled for years behind their pens to raise the consciousness of their fellow citizens to free us from the shackles of the King. We bloggers are the direct descendants of the tract writers, newspaper publishers, and article authors who were our Founding Fathers.

Right now, they all are spinning in their graves as Congress tries to eliminate free speech.

[MamaB]

Isn't that the truth? I would not be that interested in politics and other news if it were not for this site.

[TheDon]

There's a chill wind blowing...

[Msgt USMC]

Cartridge box, but we might have to resort to bows & arrows, if the Lib's have their way.

[null and void]

In other news: U.S. civilians can face military trials

I think the key phrase is: "makes civilian government employees and journalists eligible for prosecution under the Uniform Code of Military Justice"

Bloggers are, of course, journalists...

[Domandred]

ping tag for later reference

[No.6]

New standard disclaimer for all blogs and political websites: "This site does not recommend that you contact your Congressman. We are not a lobbying organization. Click here to find your Congressman's contact information so that you can avoid contacting him or her."

[meyer]

If they shut down the first amendment, they had better prepare for the implementation of the second amendment for its intended purpose.

[ExTexasRedhead]

Give thanks to all the Republicans that sat home on election day to teach the airheads in DC a lesson as well as the one-issue idiots. Look what's going to come home to roost. To quote Rush, elections MATTER!

[GingisK]

It does seem that the First Amendment is dying. I don't know why it should be an exception.

The Republic of our Founding Fathers started is quite dead. Our "representatives" are performing just like the leaders in the Kremlin once did.

[cowtowney]

http://vocusgr.vocus.com/GRSPACE2/WebPublish/controller.aspx?SiteName=FOTF&Definition=Home&XSL=Home&SV_Section=Home

Do something about it here.

[cowtowney]

http://vocusgr.vocus.com/GRSPACE2/WebPublish/Controller.aspx?SiteName=FOTF&Definition=ViewIssue&IssueID=3393

better link. It says:

Jan. 18, 2007 UPDATE: S. 1 failed to receive enough votes on a procedural motion that would have moved it to a vote on passage. That means it's stalled for now, and it's unclear whether or when it might return.

[NeoCaveman]

Even McCain is not supporting this little piece of legislative fascism.

[oregon underground]

Question: Would payments to FreeRepublic constitute payment for lobbying?

Text from Senate Bill 1

SEC. 220. DISCLOSURE OF PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING.

(a) Definitions- Section 3 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1602) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (7), by adding at the end of the following: `Lobbying activities include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, but do not include grassroots lobbying.'; and

(2) by adding at the end of the following:

`(17) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING- The term `grassroots lobbying' means the voluntary efforts of members of the general public to communicate their own views on an issue to Federal officials or to encourage other members of the general public to do the same.

`(18) PAID EFFORTS TO STIMULATE GRASSROOTS LOBBYING-

`(A) IN GENERAL- The term `paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying' means any paid attempt in support of lobbying contacts on behalf of a client to influence the general public or segments thereof to contact one or more covered legislative or executive branch officials (or Congress as a whole) to urge such officials (or Congress) to take specific action with respect to a matter described in section 3(8)(A), except that such term does not include any communications by an entity directed to its members, employees, officers, or shareholders.

`(B) PAID ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR SEGMENTS THEREOF- The term `paid attempt to influence the general public or segments thereof' does not include an attempt to influence directed at less than 500 members of the general public.

`(C) REGISTRANT- For purposes of this paragraph, a person or entity is a member of a registrant if the person or entity--

`(i) pays dues or makes a contribution of more than a nominal amount to the entity;

`(ii) makes a contribution of more than a nominal amount of time to the entity;

`(iii) is entitled to participate in the governance of the entity;

`(iv) is 1 of a limited number of honorary or life members of the entity; or

`(v) is an employee, officer, director or member of the entity.

`(19) GRASSROOTS LOBBYING FIRM- The term `grassroots lobbying firm' means a person or entity that--

`(A) is retained by 1 or more clients to engage in paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying on behalf of such clients; and

`(B) receives income of, or spends or agrees to spend, an aggregate of $25,000 or more for such efforts in any quarterly period.'.

(b) Registration- Section 4(a) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1603(a)) is amended--

(1) in the flush matter at the end of paragraph (3)(A), by adding at the end the following: `For purposes of clauses (i) and (ii), the term `lobbying activities' shall not include paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying.'; and

(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:

`(4) FILING BY GRASSROOTS LOBBYING FIRMS- Not later than 45 days after a grassroots lobbying firm first is retained by a client to engage in paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying, such grassroots lobbying firm shall register with the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives.'.

(c) Separate Itemization of Paid Efforts To Stimulate Grassroots Lobbying- Section 5(b) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604(b)) is amended--

(1) in paragraph (3), by--

(A) inserting after `total amount of all income' the following: `(including a separate good faith estimate of the total amount of income relating specifically to paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying and, within that amount, a good faith estimate of the total amount specifically relating to paid advertising)'; and

(B) inserting `or a grassroots lobbying firm' after `lobbying firm';

(2) in paragraph (4), by inserting after `total expenses' the following: `(including a good faith estimate of the total amount of expenses relating specifically to paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying and, within that total amount, a good faith estimate of the total amount specifically relating to paid advertising)'; and

(3) by adding at the end the following:

`Subparagraphs (B) and (C) of paragraph (2) shall not apply with respect to reports relating to paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying activities.'.

(d) Good Faith Estimates and De Minimis Rules for Paid Efforts To Stimulate Grassroots Lobbying-

(1) IN GENERAL- Section 5(c) of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1604(c)) is amended to read as follows:

`(c) Estimates of Income or Expenses- For purposes of this section, the following shall apply:

`(1) Estimates of income or expenses shall be made as follows:

`(A) Estimates of amounts in excess of $10,0000 shall be rounded to the nearest $20,000.

`(B) In the event income or expenses do not exceed $10,000, the registrant shall include a statement that income or expenses totaled less than $10,000 for the reporting period.

`(2) Estimates of income or expenses relating specifically to paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying shall be made as follows:

`(A) Estimates of amounts in excess of $25,000 shall be rounded to the nearest $20,000.

`(B) In the event income or expenses do not exceed $25,000, the registrant shall include a statement that income or expenses totaled less than $25,000 for the reporting period.'.

(2) TAX REPORTING- Section 15 of the Act (2 U.S.C. 1610) is amended--

(A) in subsection (a)--

(i) in paragraph (1), by striking `and' after the semicolon;

(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting `; and'; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

`(3) in lieu of using the definition of paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying in section 3(18), consider as paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying only those activities that are grassroots expenditures as defined in section 4911(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.'; and

(B) in subsection (b)--

(i) in paragraph (1), by striking `and' after the semicolon;

(ii) in paragraph (2), by striking the period and inserting `; and'; and

(iii) by adding at the end the following:

`(3) in lieu of using the definition of paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying in section 3(18), consider as paid efforts to stimulate grassroots lobbying only those activities that are grassroots expenditures as defined in section 4911(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986.'.

SEC. 221. ELECTRONIC FILING AND PUBLIC DATABASE FOR LOBBYISTS FOR FOREIGN GOVERNMENTS

[libill]

Would FR be shut down??

I am afraid that is long range agenda. I mentioned this in another forum, but what scares me even more is that I will be targeted for my blog on Windows Live, Yahoo 360 or blogspot. If it continues to be a service will I be jailed if I don't include opposing views from lib's, libertarians, independents and on and on.

If that comes to pass there is no way I will comply with the unconstitutional and un-American fascist agendas of some aging hippie types with God complexes. If I have to serve time in jail, walker and all, I will.

Ultimately I don't really think it will go that far, but I do believe that threat will be used as a wedge to force taxation. Taxes that many will be glad to pay as long as jail time is off the table.

[Rakkasan1]

lol

[sasafras]

Asking this president to defend the constitution and veto this proposed legislation is like asking a liberal to speak the truth - it aint gonna happen.

[joebuck]

If this proposed legislation had been around when our constitution was being debated James Madison and Alexander Hamilton would have been subject to arrest and imprisonment for annonymously publishing the Federalist Papers.

[Logophile]

No. Jim Rob would just have to "register as lobbyists and file financial reports". I don't see the big deal here. .

Why should he have to go to the trouble and expense? Free Republic does not lobby legislators. It may in some cases influence citizens, who may turn around and influence their elected representatives; but that does not make it a lobbying organization as most people understand the term.

[libill]

...sat home on election day...

That is a joke. Just look at how many RINO's joined up with the "No Surge" crowd or Arnold in communist California. Just because somebody has an 'R' next to their name does not make them conservative.

The lib's may believe they won. They did not win. I don't believe republican voters voted for them. If you want someone to blame and point a finger at, blame the wimpy and lazy RINOS that failed to do their jobs for 6 years.

[DManA]

Congress to citizens: Just shut up and pay up.