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
Windows Media Format
RealMedia Format
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!
Maybe we should instead turn our web site backgrounds to red. Red would both denote our anger about Congress attempting to legislate away our Constitutional right to free (political) speech, but also to be a not so subtle reference to the communist tactics used to userp our capitalist marketplace for political communications. It also brings to mind the blood shed by our troops to secure our right to free speech. And of course red has a psychological effect of inducing passion and tension.
And here is our poster boy to tell 'em what they can do with CFR.
A photo of the Capital building with a red tint might be and interesting ploy too.
Can anyone post a link to the classic HPD sound clip?
Bush is known for creative solutions. He has the power to pardon any and all for any and all offenses past or present. He can sign the bill along with a blanket pardon on any parts of the bill that he believes are unconsitutional.
Check and mate. The part of the bills that favor GOP is enacted and the parts that favor Rats are declawed.
Constitution
Forever
Revoked
*bump*
Look good? Won't lose anything? How about credibility and trust. During the primaries he said that this bill was unconstitutional. He took the oath of office declaring to uphold the constitution. Doesn't an oath mean anything anymore? Or has everyone succumbed to the Clinton mentality.
Is it not better to do what is right and take the consequence (if there really is a consequence to this)?
It was the grassroots and groups such as the NRA that saved this election - saved his butt. If he signs this he's lost the base. This is political suicide, in my opinion.
There is no way I could have stated this better.
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