Maddenation
Put your money where your mouth is
The Supreme Court yesterday overturned a Vermont law that restricted campaign spending, saying (as they have in the past) that these restrictions are “inconsistent with the First Amendment.”
The First Ammendment, you will remmember, ensures freedom of religion and speech.
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or 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.
So the court has equated campaign contributions to free speech. I’ve heard this argument before, and even had some sympathy for it, but let’s face it, money is not speech. Looking at it another way, to rule that money is the same as speech, one would theoretically be sanctioning the practice of a rich guy spending hugh sums of money to ensure that a politician of his liking is elected to congress. This, of course, is what’s happening now, and what Vermont was trying to control.
I realize that my analysis is simplistic, and my views on law could never stand up in court; but I’m not talking law here. I’m talking common sense. Money has become a pervasive corrupting influence on government. If you don’t believe that, consider this fact alone: there are 35,000 registered lobbyists in Washington. They spend over 2 billion dollars! What more information do you need?
Dad • News • 06/27/06 • 0 comments
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