[prognostigaator]

"To achieve that ultimate objective, McCain-Feingold/Shays-Meehan constitute the necessary opening preamble. By compromising even an inch on the first amendment -- and these bills go well beyond that -- the precedent for government control over grassroots/independent political activities will have been set, greasing the skids for more draconian controls down the road -- after the next round of "reforms". The "reformers", newly emboldened, will come back for more -- again and again."

May I add that the 'tartuffery' ,in addition to your critical observation above relating to free speech, is also skewed by our incumbent lawmakers conveniently redistricting to permit their constituents all of the free speech [and votes] that they desire for at least ten years........

[xzins]

By compromising even an inch on the first amendment --

You forget that RELIGION is the initial subject dealt with in the First Amendment. That provision has been compromised for YEARS (Congress shall make no respecting an establishment of religion, nor preventing the free exercise thereof.) Free Exercise has been prevented by redefining the word "establishment" to mean "existence."

God said I can believe and practice what I want. God said that I can speak my mind on any subject at any time.

Wonder why they attacked religion first in the socialist dismantling of the 1st Amendment? It was only a matter of time to get rid of free speech also.

All freedoms are intertwined.

[JohnHuang2]

Excellent point, my friend.