Comments on: DISCLOSE: Here We Go Again

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 18:27:56 +0000

A full article on the same topic with some other interesting insights:

http://patriotpost.us/opinion/george-will/2010/07/11/in-disclose-act-a-free-speech-clamp/

By: Quincy

Quincy — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:12:22 +0000

Thanks for the encouragement Jamie.

Jason,

First, if you take time to read the DISCLOSE Act, you will discover that it applies to everyone who wishes to engage in political speech. Second, to be even mildly persuasive you must explain why corporations should be treated differently for purposes of free speech–this would include answering the questions from George Will that Jamie quoted. Stop and listen to yourself for a minute. Is it really a good idea to allow government to dictate limits about what or how much people can say about politics?

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:39:52 +0000

George Will just suggested that the senate judiciary committee ask Elena Kagan the following:

“Regarding campaign finance “reforms”: If allowing the political class to write laws regulating the quantity, content and timing of speech about the political class is the solution, what is the problem?

– If the problem is corruption, do we not already have abundant laws proscribing that?

– If the problem is the “appearance” of corruption, how do you square the First Amendment with Congress restricting speech in order to regulate how things “appear” to unspecified people?

– Incumbent legislators are constantly tinkering with the rules regulating campaigns that could cost them their jobs. Does this present an appearance of corruption?”

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:32:53 +0000

I almost had the motivation to wade through the 16 page policy analysis from CATO on this, but you have SAVED me!!!!! Truly a public service. I will suggest, again, that since you do this on your own time as something of a hobby anyway, you should submit your writing to be published. I’m going to link to this on facebook.

By: jasonthe

jasonthe — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 21:02:21 +0000

Wonderfully convoluted attempt here, but there really isn’t much of a credible objection to the level of transparency the DISCLOSE legislation forces.

You’re watching too much Fox. They’ve been beating this same drum (“oh, those poor corporations… won’t someone think of the corporations?!!!) You’ve got the talking points on this one down, but your reasoning is about as sound (i.e. not).