FEC Lawyers Back Socialist Workers Party

AP/NY Newsday ^ | 31 Mar 2003 | SHARON THEIMER

[adam_az]

WASHINGTON -- The Socialist Workers Party, long allowed to keep its donors secret because of the danger of harassment, should continue to receive the special protection, Federal Election Commission lawyers say.

The party asked the commission to extend its exemption from FEC reporting requirements that other political parties face, including identifying its contributors, the candidates it supports and the businesses it buys from. The exemption, given for six years at a time, was first granted by a court in 1979 and last renewed by the commission in 1996.

The Socialist Workers Party advocates a Marxist revolution to overthrow the U.S. government. Taking the Russian and Cuban revolutions of the 20th century as models, it wants to replace the country's capitalist system with a government of workers and farmers.

"It is a small political party and controversial, and contributors could be easily deterred from acting on their conscience out of fear of retaliation," said Michael Krinsky, a New York attorney representing the party.

The party supported its new petition with dozens of pages of testimony from members who say they have faced threats and other harassment from law enforcement officers, employers and others while distributing party literature, collecting signatures to get party candidates on ballots and engaging in other party activities.

FEC attorneys are recommending that the commission approve the extension when it meets Thursday. The long history of threats, violence and harassment by law enforcement and private parties "continues to have a chilling effect on possible membership in or association with SWP," they wrote.

[visualops]

This is ridiculous!
It is certainly not the obligation of anyone, let alone the government, to protect any political group.
They made their bed, now they can sleep in it.
If they can't handle the consequences of their beliefs, that's their problem.
"I want a violent revolution, but I'm too chicken to tell anyone". Yeah.
Time to write all your Reps, local newspapers, etc etc.

[daviddennis]

For those who wonder, an offshoot of this group, one even more radical, is behind International ANSWER. So this particular group is more "moderate" than ANSWER, but the two organizations' views are very close.

See this surprisingly balanced LA Weekly article.

D

[concerned about politics]

Equal protection under the law.
If it's legal for Socialists to keep their funding private, it's legal for all parties.
All other parties should take this to the Supreme Court if necessary. Even Al Quata could be behind the Socialist funding. Who knows?

[Rensselaer]

This was already posted and discussed here, and you may want to view the commentary: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/881272/posts

I would make a couple points:

1) The Socialist Workers sued on this twice and won in both the Supreme Court (Brown v. Socialist Workers Party 74 Campaign Committee) and the U.S. Court of Appeals (can't recall the case name). So the FEC doesn't have much choice - if they deny the exemption, the Socialists will just sue them again, and probably win. And the FEC has to keep applying the law to the rest of us, because Congress won't repeal it, and the Supreme Court won't exempt everybody - only groups showing they will be especially "harassed."

2) The real question here is why should the rest of us have to disclose? Why should anybody? John Adams and Thomas Jefferson and Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln didn't have to disclose their donors. The Federalist Papers were published anonymously. Where does the government get off keeping and publishing a record of our political activity? (Isn't that what they're doing here?) This is all part of "campaign finance reform," and it should all be declared unconstitutional by the courts. But since the courts haven't done so, we must fight these laws in congress.

3) Maybe we can use this. Why shouldn't Pro-Lifers get this exemption? Don't we get harassed? But if you give money to Right to Life's PAC, they have to file it with the FEC. Maybe some of our groups should compile a record of the harassment our members receive, and ask the FEC for an exemption.

[magrueser]

if ever (God forbid it) this great nation falls, it will be because we let morons like this get away with this CRAP!

[CounterCounterCulture]

What the (bleep)?

The Socialist Workers Party, long allowed to keep its donors secret because of the danger of harassment, should continue to receive the special protection, Federal Election Commission lawyers say.

And the Republicans are never harassed? Again, what the (bleep)?

[Tamzee]

Unbelievable... I sent a copy of this to OReilly. This might catch his interest.

[IronJack]

I'd have to read the decisions to understand how a protection can be applied so unequally. It would seem to violate the Fourteenth Amendment, if nothing else. It strikes me that this is a flaw that can be exploited to destroy the whole notion of campaign finance disclosure. However, beware of what you wish for. Our enemies have deep pockets.

[Beck_isright]

I think what you would ultimately discover are some names on that list which would embaress beyond belief some members of the media and hollyweird elite. As long as you are wealthy and leftist, the laws do not apply to you. If you need proof, ask O.J. and Bubba about that.

[The Old Hoosier]

I think Republicans need the same protection, nowadays.

[The Old Hoosier]

Sounds like a terrorist organization.

Good point. I'd like to know who it is that plans to kill me and usher in a new order. Make them disclose.

[FairOpinion]

Note that the FEC is voting THIS Thursday, Apr. 3rd on this, and the FEC lawyers are recommending that this ludicrous exemption be renewed.

"FEC attorneys are recommending that the commission approve the extension when it meets Thursday."

[Jhoffa_]

The Socialist Workers Party advocates a Marxist revolution to overthrow the U.S. government.

And this fact should somehow exempt them from reporting, like everyone else does?

That's insane. How does that earn them a pass?

It's like these celebs wanting to do something unpopular, and THEN not wanting to take responsibility for it.

They don't think others have a right to know if they are doing business with members of or contributors to the Socialist Workers Party?

[Jhoffa_]

No kidding.

There's a serious 14th Amendment issue here.

[visualops]

That's the thing- either everyone discloses, or no-one does.
What I disagree with is the exemptions.
I'd be curious to know what other groups are also exempt- the FEC website has no search capability, and I couldn't find any info about exemptions of any sort.

[Maelstrom]

No...actually...foreign dictators, and foreign organizations that seek the destruction of the US.

[Maelstrom]

Ah...you've hit upon the solution.

Note how incestuous those organizations are...
...they are the same people the FEC is protecting.

[NativeSon]

The Socialist Workers Party advocates a Marxist revolution to overthrow the U.S. government.

And they expect NOT to be harassed?

Here's how I see it, SWP comes to my door, gives me the "party line" ...

NS; "Hmmm, you say that you want to steal everything I own, could own, especially property, murder anyone who objects and periodically cull the heard to silence dissent? , please hold still while I plant this ax in your forehead"

[sheik yerbouty]

Well, they are revolting.