Campaign-Finance Reform Is Really about Free Speech

Another reason why I dislike Senator McCain and the havoc he has wreaked on our nation with his so-called campaign-finance reform is what has happened recently in the state of Washington. A judge in the state of Washington has ruled that on-air editorial comments by Seattle talk hosts Wilbur and Carlson of KVI-AM are considered in-kind campaign contributions and are subject to reporting under state disclosure laws. Campaign-finance law is an outright regulation of the press just as Justice Scalia and Justice Thomas warned in their dissent of the Supreme Court ruling that the campaign-finance reform law would stand. The Seattle mess has to do with a campaign for a ballot initiative to repeal a gas tax. The talkshow hosts, as talkshow host always do, we’re talking about their opinions on the gas tax and were in favor of the ballot initiative. You can read more about this and what others had to say at Michelle Malkin’s site.

I don’t understand how anyone will be able to talk about anything and it not be considered in-kind campaign contributions. Will newspaper editorials now be considered in-kind contributions? Will the citizens who go door-to-door volunteering for campaigns and urging their neighbors to vote for the candidate of their choice be considered in-kind contributions? Will those of us who blog our political opinions be considered in-kind contributions? If I put a sign in my front lawn saying vote for so-and-so is that considered an in-kind contribution? How about the bumper sticker on the back of my van?

We were lied to when when we were told that this campaign-finance reform business was just about money. Where I put my money is really no different than what I say. The Conservatives on the Supreme Court were right just as they were right about abuses of eminent domain. Please, President Bush, put a conservative originalist judge up for nomination to the Supreme Court before we all lose our homes and our free speech rights.

1 Comments:
At July 12, 2005 8:35 AM, Pastor Jack, Sr. said…
You are getting to be big time with notices about your posts being spread around. Don’t forget your old dad when you get famous.

1 Comment

  1. Pastor Jack, Sr.
    Jul 12, 2005

    You are getting to be big time with notices about your posts being spread around. Don’t forget your old dad when you get famous.