The First Amendment Action Network- a joint project between
The American Conservative Union and FreeRepublic Network
Posted on 03/20/2002 1:06:31 PM PST by diotima
WHY CAMPAIGN FINANCE "REFORM" IS BAD FOR AMERICA!
1. IT STIFLES FREE SPEECH! The First Amendment of the Constitution states...
"CONGRESS shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the
right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of
grievances."
The restrictions this bill places on political advertising 60 days before an election and 30 days before a
primary directly impact the freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment. The Representatives,
Senators and President that we elect all swear an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution - NOT to
ignore and undermine the Constitution.
2. IT EMPOWERS THE MEDIA! While groups are restricted in putting on ads before an election, the
broadcast media will increase its power to “educate” voters. TV and radio reporters have a long history of
putting their own bias into candidate profiles and interviews, and the media conglomerates are highly
selective about what they cover. An opponent's events are just politics, but anything the incumbent does is
considered news.
3. IT EMPOWERS INCUMBENTS! By making less information available about candidates in the critical time period before elections, incumbents are removing another source of criticism about their records. Shortly before elections is the precise time when most voters are seeking out such information. That's why knowledgeable people refer to this bill as: The Incumbent Security Act. The impact of this bill would mean that incumbents are more likely to stay in office than ever before.
4. IT KEEPS VOTERS IN THE DARK! As a voter, you deserve the opportunity to make up your own
mind about the candidates with information from any source you choose.
5. IT DISCOURAGES VOTER PARTICIPATION! Campaign reform proponents say voter apathy and cynicism demands that the influence of "special interests" in politics be reduced. Voters are not cynical
because of how much money is spent on election campaigns. They are cynical because they believe their
elected officials rarely do what is best for the country, but more often do what is best to stay in office. AND BINGO! Campaign Finance Reform will help keep incumbents in office!
RELEVANT QUOTATIONS ABOUT FREEDOM OF SPEECH
In the free society ordained by our constitution, it is not the government, but the people--individually as citizens and candidates and collectively as associations and political committees--who must retain control over the quantity and range of debate on public issues in a political campaign. - U.S. Supreme Court, Buckley v. Valeo
The liberty of speaking and writing guards our other liberties. - Thomas Jefferson
View Message from David Keene: The chairman of the ACU discusses the next stage in the struggle over Campaign Finance Reform, and what you can do to take action to stop it.
QuickTime Format
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Join First Amendment Action Network HERE
CALL PRESIDENT BUSH TODAY! TELL HIM TO VETO CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM AND PROTECT YOUR FIRST AMENDMENT RIGHTS!
WHITE HOUSE SWITCHBOARD: 202-456-1414
WHITE HOUSE FAX: 202-456-2461
EMAIL: president@whitehouse.gov
Compiled by The Free Republic Network - www.freerepublic.net
Special thanks to dittomom and the Leadership Council for the talking points!
Dear President Bush,
Please veto this unconstitutional sham of a bill, Campaign Finance Reform. When you ran, you said that there were certain conditions that any campaign finance reform had to meet. This bill that just passed meets none of those conditions.
This year, my husband and I purchased a hot air balloon in the shape of the United States flag, we will be traveling the country handing out pocket Constitutions and educating the public about this great document. I do not wish to have to explain that the current occupant of the White House is not upholding his oath to the people of this country by signing into law bills that are blatantly unconstitutional.
Please don't sign this bill. I want to take the balloon around the country and praise the current President of the United States.
Please keep your campaign promise.
If you do not veto this bill, you will not be receiving my vote next time around.
I will campaign furiously to make the public aware of what this bill does to the Constitution, and that you chose to sign it knowing that it is unconstitutional.
Thank you for your time,
xxxxx
xxxxxx, Pa
www.usflagballoon.com
I will be getting faxes and letters together next.
OK, no one say a negative word. No more bashing. Its too harsh!
I just emailed the White House. I sent the e-address to everyone on my personal list throughout the country. I swear I'll work on this like a horse the next couple days.
It only takes minutes to do your part. Give it everything you have!
God bless America. Let's roll! And NEVER FORGET!
Leni
Can you fax too? Many pieces of paper make big piles! Just use the same info that you typed for the email. Of course, I'm assuming you have a fax!
If you can, pass on this URL to folks who are not even Freepers too!
Let's go everybody. Join in. Let's flood the White House with VETO CFR emails.
Thanks.
I think he will sign it too, but think how good he would look if he vetoed it and then they overide the veto and it becomes law and then the Supremes throw it out. That would be a big 'I told you so'.
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