Posted on 04/30/2002 5:27:50 PM PDT by M.K. Borders
Richard G. Luger
SH 306 Senate Office Building
Washington D.C. 20510
202-224-4814
April 16, 2002
Mr. #### Borders
### #### ### #####
######, Indiana #####
Dear Mr. Borders:
I appreciate receiving your thoughts on the campaign finance reform bill.
Like President Bush, who signed the bill into law, I do not support some of it’s provisions. For example, I voted against the Wellstone Amendment, which places restrictions on the ability of interest groups to air broadcast messages immediately before an election. Further, I believe that some useful campaign finance reform proposals have been excluded from the bill.
The final bill is not one that I would have written. On balance, however, I believe that it will improve disclosure and modestly reduce opportunities for campaign finance abuses. We have seen serious examples of corruption during the years of the Clinton Administration that involved unlimited soft money donations. This bill will not eliminate attempts to improperly influence policymakers, but it is a resonable response to the corruption that did occur. For these reasons, I voted in favor of the bill.
There is a consensus that the bill will be thoroughly reviewed by the Supreme Court. Some of it’s provisions could be blocked by Court action. Supreme Court review has become almost inevitable with regard to campaign finance legislation given the important First Amendment issues that are involved. This is a process that should proceed fairly and with dispatch.
Again, thank you for sharing your thoughts with me.
Sincerely,
Signed
Richard G. Luger
United States Senator
RGL/jza
Further, I believe that some useful campaign finance reform proposals have been excluded from the bill
The final bill is not one that I would have written.
This bill will not eliminate attempts to improperly influence policymakers,
There is a consensus that the bill will be thoroughly reviewed by the Supreme Court. Some of it’s provisions could be blocked by Court action.
This has got to be the weakest most lame defense of one's voting record that I ever have read. You seriously have to wonder if someone was holding a gun to his head when he voted.
It is Richard G. LUGAR.
In addition, you seriously have to wonder if someone was holding a gun to his head when he took his "Oath of Office" to defend the Constitution-- the Legislative Branch is the first line of defense, the executive the second, the judicial the third. It should never have got this far.
Bush did leave an impression he would veto Shays-Meehan, and instead he signed it, albeit there were some mitigating circumstances. I think he could have come out ahead either way.
But this breach will need to be repaired if we are to be very successful this year and in 2004.
I wish that when portions of Congressional Act were declared unconstitutional, it would void the entire Act. That would put a damper on their little games.
The wheel has turned, and it's time for Lugar to go.
Bush did not promise to veto it; on the contrary he said he would not.
We sang ditties in the Coliseum lampooning Birch Bayh, yet he became entrenched in 1964; and now his smarmy, emetic offspring.
Quayle lacks a sense of humor. I told Marilyn, Dan's bit, "We've got a tough new law, Three Interns and You're Out" was a good start toward developing a humorous side of him we needed to see. Her look would've removed paint, and her aide took her to le plane, le plane.
It's time to get over this Campaign Finance Reform, and remember to kick their asses when available.
The phone bill from shouting and faxing Washington on that heartburn, the being on hold for the White House, the screaming at the field Senate offices--ball it into a fist, stick it in a pocket.
There will be war; there will be terrorist attacks on CONUS.
We need to build a gallows for Daschle and Leahy, Quislings for the New Millenium.
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