Court strikes limits on contributions to independent political groups

Wapo ^ | 03/25/10 | Dan Eggen

[freespirited]

A federal appeals court on Friday handed another victory to conservative opponents of campaign-finance restrictions, striking down limits on individual contributions to independent groups who want to use the money for or against candidates in federal elections.

But in its unanimous decision, the nine-judge U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia also said that a conservative group called SpeechNow.org must disclose its donors and other details of its finances to the Federal Election Commission, a requirement that the group had sought to overturn...

The ruling amounts to a mixed bag for beleaguered advocates of campaign-finance restrictions, who are relieved by the disclosure requirements but angered by the court's decision to strike down limits on contributions to independent political groups. ..

In a separate decision issued Friday by a three-judge panel, the Republican National Committee lost a bid to raise unlimited contributions from corporations and individuals, setting the stage for further litigation at the Supreme Court.

[freespirited]

A court has found that the gummint cannot tell us how we can and cannot spend our money? Who would have thunk it?!!

[Mr. K]

Thanks John McCain!

[PhiKapMom]

Personally think limits are ridiculous but I do think that every dollar collected has to be accounted for — none of this we only report who gave over $250 — report where every last dollar came from to avoid what happened with the Obama campaign turning off credit card security so they could funnel millions into the campaign.

If you cannot account for who donated the money, then donate the money to charity.

[circlecity]

This is just the first stop on the way to the Supreme Court.