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Biden-Backed DISCLOSE Act Would Dox Donors to Groups That Run Political Ads
Reason ^ | September 22, 2022 | Elizabeth Nolan Brown

Posted on 09/22/2022 12:57:55 PM PDT by karpov

President Joe Biden's latest anti–free speech crusade would require groups that run political ads to dox donors. Biden is backing the Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light on Spending in Elections (DISCLOSE) Act, which senators are expected to vote today on whether to take up.

"Right now, advocacy groups can run ads on issues attacking or supporting a candidate right until Election Day without exposing who's paying for that ad," Biden said on Tuesday. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D–N.Y.) called the DISCLOSE Act "critical to fighting the cancer of dark money in our elections."

But many see the measure as a way to interfere in free speech and intimidate people who would otherwise donate to advocacy groups.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce called it "blatantly political and ultimately unconstitutional legislation."

"The DISCLOSE Act's fundamental purpose is to enable cancel culture and the intimidation of Americans exercising their right to free speech through political giving and campaign contributions," writes Scott Parkinson of the Club for Growth.

I think Parkinson is right. When it comes to ads or other public campaigns concerning political issues, those on the opposite side are free to counter their content and ideas in the public square without knowing who donated to the groups behind the ads. But if the donors are known, it allows people to pressure them not to donate. It also allows for smear campaigns against political positions based who supports them, instead of the content of their messages or proposals. It seems designed to detract from actually informing voters, allowing for the battle over bills and issues to be played out instead in a guilt-by-association manner.

The DISCLOSE Act (S.443) is sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D–R.I.) and includes all sorts of provisions related to campaign communications and election-related spending.

(Excerpt) Read more at reason.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Front Page News; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: freespeech; sheldonwhitehouse

1 posted on 09/22/2022 12:57:55 PM PDT by karpov
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To: karpov

“You can support the Democrat Party, or you can go to prison. The choice is yours.”


2 posted on 09/22/2022 1:00:35 PM PDT by ClearCase_guy (We are already in a revolutionary period, and the Rule of Law means nothing. )
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To: karpov

3 posted on 09/22/2022 1:01:54 PM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either opinion, or satire, or both.)
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To: karpov

If enforced equally, I have no problem.

The problem is that it wouldn’t be equally enforced.


4 posted on 09/22/2022 1:02:38 PM PDT by Fai Mao (Stop feeding the beast, and steal its food!)
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To: karpov

The DISCLOSE Act (S.443) is sponsored by Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D–R.I.)

This is the senator who wanted to *criminalize* anyone who spoke against the madness of climate change.


5 posted on 09/22/2022 1:03:47 PM PDT by Flick Lives (FJB and the corrupt FBI)
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To: Fai Mao

Exactly, Dems have a powerhouse of researchers, Anitfa, radical violent people who will dox, intimidate, harass the Republican donors.


6 posted on 09/22/2022 1:05:50 PM PDT by Engedi
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To: Fai Mao

you’re right, because democrats don’t care about the law. They figure out how to go around it without getting caught. And if they do get caught they rely on democrat AGs to let them off the hook, or scream what difference does it make when they are pulled in front of an inquiry.


7 posted on 09/22/2022 1:06:15 PM PDT by NicoDon
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To: Fai Mao

Conservatives are more vulnerable even if the law was applied evenly.


8 posted on 09/22/2022 1:06:34 PM PDT by SauronOfMordor (A Leftist can't enjoy life unless they are controlling, hurting, or destroying others)
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To: karpov

Wouldn’t this work both ways?


9 posted on 09/22/2022 1:07:24 PM PDT by God luvs America (63.5 million pay no income tax and vote for DemoKrats...)
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To: Fai Mao

agreed


10 posted on 09/22/2022 1:10:08 PM PDT by Irenic
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To: God luvs America
Wouldn’t this work both ways?

No. See post # 4. Fai Mao nailed it.

11 posted on 09/22/2022 1:12:07 PM PDT by 17th Miss Regt
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To: BenLurkin

Aunt Teefah is the old Al Qaeda rebranded.


12 posted on 09/22/2022 1:17:52 PM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (Adolf Biden is a teenager killer.)
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To: Fai Mao

The Left has already figured out its’ loopholes, or they wouldn’t be proposing this.


13 posted on 09/22/2022 1:26:55 PM PDT by Chad C. Mulligan
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To: Fai Mao

I’m sure George Soros would get doxxed. /s


14 posted on 09/22/2022 1:30:15 PM PDT by RatRipper
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To: karpov

Hmmmmm.

Pass in tandem with companion legislation permitting me to confront them with force of arms if they step onto my property, I think I might actually be OK with that.

You gonna allow the action, you gotta allow the reaction.


15 posted on 09/22/2022 1:43:03 PM PDT by HKMk23 (https://youtu.be/LTseTg48568)
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To: God luvs America

Republicans generally aren’t the violent mob that rats are.


16 posted on 09/22/2022 2:19:42 PM PDT by Aria
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To: karpov

That’s ridiculous. Every TV ad I see tells you in tiny print who bought the ad. All you have to do is Google the group paying for it and you’ll see exactly who is behind it. I guess that’s too much work for a brain dead liberal to have to do. The Dumbing Down of America apparently continues. 😖


17 posted on 09/22/2022 4:07:40 PM PDT by Prince of Space (Let’s Go, Brandon! )
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To: karpov

His donor list will be very short. George Soros, Mort Zuckerberg, and other crony capitalists.


18 posted on 09/23/2022 6:34:43 AM PDT by Eleutheria5 (Free country? Good morning, Rip. )
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To: HKMk23

Good luck owning property.....just watch everyone who donates to anything other commie causes get fired, we can live on the streets with the heroin addicts.


19 posted on 09/23/2022 2:11:09 PM PDT by Repeat Offender (While the wicked stand confounded, call me with Thy saints surrounded.)
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