Democrats fall off campaign finance reform wagon-C F R Thread, Day 94

St. Petersburg Times. ^ | 3/14/04 | PHILIP GAILEY

[Valin]

Well, what do you know. Soft money is back, and it's making hypocrites of all those Democrats who fervently championed the McCain-Feingold campaign reform law, not to mention those Republicans who objected to the law's restrictions on issue advocacy.

Like the boll weevil, soft money is always looking for a home, and it didn't take Democrats long to put out a welcome mat at their party's back door. Was it only last year that reformers in both parties were warning of the corrupting influence of soft money on politics and government? Something had to be done to save our democracy, the reformers decided, and so they passed McCain-Feingold, which barred political parties from raising unregulated soft money in unlimited donations from corporations, labor unions and wealthy individuals. Opponents warned that soft money would just find new venues, and that it has done.

There are two things you can't take out of politics - politics and money.

Soft money is being used in this election year to fund mostly Democratic "shadow" groups dedicated to defeating President George W. Bush. These tax-exempt groups are called 527 committees - after the Internal Revenue Service code section under which they fall - and they make a mockery out of the new law's restrictions on the use of soft money.

The chief sponsors of last year's bipartisan campaign reform law, Sens. John McCain, R-Ariz., and Russell Feingold, D-Wis., are crying foul. They accused the 527 committees of violating the law and urged the Federal Election Commission, known for its laxity in enforcing campaign laws, to place tight restrictions on these groups' use of soft money to influence federal elections. Their position is applauded by Republicans and supported by several independent campaign watchdog groups.

"Section 527 groups need to play by the rules that all other political committees are bound by," McCain said last week. He said the use of soft money by 527 groups violates not only the McCain-Feingold law but "a fundamental rule of federal election law since 1974."

Feingold said "the FEC must not bless a new circumvention of election laws so soon after we closed the last loophole it created." In upholding McCain-Feingold in December, the U.S. Supreme Court scolded the FEC for opening loopholes over the years that allowed "national parties to use vast amounts of soft money to elect federal candidates."

The Wisconsin Democrat said, "My view is that groups that claim a tax exemption because their primary purpose is to influence elections should be required to register as political committees with the FEC, unless their activities are entirely directed at state and local elections."

Last month the FEC ruled that 527 groups registered as federal political committees must use hard money - or contributions subject to federal limits - to pay for ads that "promote, support, attack or oppose" a federal candidate. It is scheduled to decide in May what further restrictions, if any, should be placed on the use of soft money by these groups for political advertising.

It's no secret that issue advertising is a thinly veiled attempt to help or hurt a candidate with voters. For example, last week a 527 group called the Media Fund - which is run by Bill Clinton's former deputy chief of staff - partnered with MoveOn.org voter fund in airing anti-Bush ads in 17 states that will be key battlegrounds in this year's presidential election.

"George Bush's priorities are eroding the American dream," the ad begins. Although it doesn't say vote for Democrat John Kerry or against George W. Bush, voters get the message. The ad concludes: "When it comes to choosing between corporate values and family values, face it. George Bush is not on our side."

It's not surprising that liberal Democrats have fallen off the campaign reform wagon and are setting up 527 groups to rake in the soft-money contributions that used to go to the national parties. Yes, it makes them look hypocritical, but they contend Republicans have a huge advantage over Democrats in raising hard-money contributions that are limited to $2,000 per person (the Bush campaign has raised $150-million so far, but the Democratic presidential candidates collectively raised $170-million). Besides, Democrats argue that the 527 groups are a way to educate voters to help them make informed choices on Election Day.

By all means let's educate voters and enfranchise them. Bring on the issue advertising and keep it honest. But if we're going to regulate soft money, let's regulate it across the board and not open up new loopholes that make a farce of our campaign finance laws.

[proud American in Canada]

good morning, Valin. :)

[Valin]

Yesterdays Thread
Nonprofits Suggest Principles for FEC Rulemaking Procedure
PNN Online 3/11/04 Laura Kujawsk
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1097428/posts


If you want on/off this Campaign Finance Reform list please let me know.

If you are interested in posting some of these threads please let me know.
Fame Fortune could be yours.
If you don't Helen Thomas will move in with you!
And follow you everywhere you go.
And tell everyone you're her lovebunny!

[Valin]

First Amendment Restoration Act
Bill # H.R.3801

Original Sponsor:
Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD 6th)

Cosponsor Total: 35
(last sponsor added 03/11/2004)
2 Democrats
33 Republicans

About This Legislation:
Washington, D.C. is often referred to as "Inside the Beltway" or "Belly of the Beast." A more appropriate reference, however, is "The Twilight Zone."

In 1961, there was an episode of "The Twilight Zone" titled "The Obsolete Man." In that episode, the government finds a librarian to be obsolete and sentences him to liquidation.

Has that eerie bit of 1961 fiction become a chilling reality today?
Congress, the president, and the Supreme Court have, with the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 (McCain-Feingold), found political speech by average American citizens to be...obsolete. What will government mandate next...liquidation?

On February 11, 2004, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, along with several other members of The Liberty Caucus, introduced the "First Amendment Restoration Act" (H.R. 3801). This legislation would restore Americans' First Amendment rights by repealing sections of the McCain-Feingold law that forbid issue-advocacy groups, such as The Liberty Committee, Gun Owners of America, American Conservative Union, Concerned Women of America and the National Rifle Association, to inform their members about important issues and votes relative to incumbent candidates during the 30 and 60 days before primary and general elections.

So during that 30-60 day period when the U.S. Congress takes a vote on abortion, immigration, gun control, United Nations, taxes, treaties, etc., we won't be able to tell you about it without committing a federal crime and risking jail time! Even a simple E-mail alert will violate the law!

McCain-Feingold, passed by Congress, signed by President Bush, and affirmed by the Supreme Court, muzzles the average American who doesn't have a high-priced lobbyist to represent his views in our nation's capital. Under the guise of "cleaning up our political process," incumbent politicians increase their job security by making it illegal for average Americans to participate.

The Liberty Committee strongly supports H.R. 3801 and encourages you to speak in favor of this critical legislation -- while you still can. Don't let the political elite make you "The Obsolete Man."
http://capwiz.com/liberty/issues/bills/?bill=5269186

[Valin]

Hugh & Series, Critical & Pulled by JimRob
Special to FreeRepublic | 17 December 2003 | John Armor (Congressman Billybob)

This is nothing like the usual whine by someone whose post was pulled. JimRob pulled my previous thread for a good reason. "If direct fund-raising were permitted on FR, it would soon be wall-to-wall fund-raising."

So, let's start again correctly. This is about civil disobedience to support the First Amendment and challenge the TERRIBLE CFR decision of the Supreme Court to uphold a terrible law passed by Congress and signed by President Bush.

All who are interested in an in-your-face challenge to the 30- and 60-day ad ban in the Campaign Finance "Reform" Act, please join in. The pattern is this: I'm looking for at least 1,000 people to help the effort. I will run the ad, and risk fines or jail time to make it work -- AND get national support.

But there should be NO mentions of money in this thread, and not in Freepmail either. This is JimRob's electronic home, and we should all abide his concerns.

Put your comments here. Click on the link above, and send me your e-mail addresses. I will get back to you by regular e-mail with the practical details.

This CAN be done. This SHOULD be done. But it MUST be done in accord with JimRob's guidelines.


Fair enough?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1042394/posts



Update
I've already tested the idea of my in-your-face challenge ads, first in the print media and then deliberately illegal on TV, with certain editors I have a long relationship with. I could trust these two gentlemen, one in the print media and the other in the broadcast media, with a "heads up" on what I am planning. Both said they wanted to know, in advance, when I am about to do this.

The bottom line is clear. If I am willing to put my neck on the line, with the possibilities of a fine and jail time, THAT effort will put CFR back on the front page in all media. And that is part of the point. There's not much value of going in-your-face against the enemies of the First Amendment unless the press takes up the story and spreads the word. It is now clear they will do exactly that.

Update 2
QUICK PROGRESS REPORT, ANSWERING A SUPPORTER'S QUESTION:
We have about 15% of the needed 1,000 sign-ups.

Spread the word, direct folks to the front page link on my website.

Google-bomb the phrase "anti-CFR" directing readers to that page and link. (We're already #2 and #4 on Google.)

Target date is now August, since the NC primary looks to be put back to September. (Remember, the ad isn't illegal until the 29th day before the election.)


Cordially,

John / Billybob


Note if you are interested in more on this please contact Valin or Congressman Billybob

[Valin]

Let's bear in mind it ps monday.
Monday it's not just a day, it's an adventure.

[The_Eaglet]

"Section 527 groups need to play by the rules that all other political committees are bound by," McCain said last week. He said the use of soft money by 527 groups violates not only the McCain-Feingold law but "a fundamental rule of federal election law since 1974."

This is pathetic. McCain needs to play by the rules that all Senators are bound by and preserve and defend the Constitution, including "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech."

If McCain were to "play by the rules," including the Supreme Law of the Land, he would need to repeal his own bill.

[Valin]

"Section 527 groups need to play by the rules that all other political committees are bound by," McCain said last week. He said the use of soft money by 527 groups violates not only the McCain-Feingold law but "a fundamental rule of federal election law since 1974."

A couple of thoughts
1 Is McCain really that stupid to think that McCain-Feingold would really keep money out?
2 "a fundamental rule of federal election law since 1974."
Maybe the problem is the 1974 law.

[The_Eaglet]

On February 11, 2004, Congressman Roscoe Bartlett, along with several other members of The Liberty Caucus, introduced the "First Amendment Restoration Act" (H.R. 3801). This legislation would restore Americans' First Amendment rights by repealing sections of the McCain-Feingold law that forbid issue-advocacy groups, such as The Liberty Committee, Gun Owners of America, American Conservative Union, Concerned Women of America and the National Rifle Association, to inform their members about important issues and votes relative to incumbent candidates during the 30 and 60 days before primary and general elections.

So during that 30-60 day period when the U.S. Congress takes a vote on abortion, immigration, gun control, United Nations, taxes, treaties, etc., we won't be able to tell you about it without committing a federal crime and risking jail time! Even a simple E-mail alert will violate the law!

It violates an unconstitutional law, which liberals will gladly use to foil an organization's activities through using it as a basis for litigation. If H.R. 3801 passes, the liberals won't even have a crutch to stand on.

[DustyMoment]

Good Morning Valin. You're doing a great job with this thread, btw.

McCain needs to play by the rules that all Senators are bound by and preserve and defend the Constitution, including "Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech."

Bears repeating.

[DustyMoment]

I have sent the following to my Congresscritter:

Since its passage, the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA) of 2002 has been an abomination to all freedom loving Americans. It has placed a muzzle on that most precious of Constitutional rights, free speech. And, as many critics of this flawed law have been proven correct, it has failed to achieve its ultimate goal of controlling "soft" money in political campaigns.

When the Founding Fathers wrote the Constitution and added the Bill of Rights, they carefully added those first ten Amendments in an order that represents their importance. The First Amendment guarantees all Americans with the unrestricted (albeit responsible) right of free speech. The Second Amendment guarantees all Americans the right to keep power balanced between the federal government and the citizens with the right to keep and bear arms. This order was not a random selection, it was carefully chosen to ensure that fundamental rights guaranteed by the Constitution to American citizens would not be abused by the federal government in a manner similar to those that the citizens of the 13 American colonies experienced at the hands of the British throne.

H.R. 3801 attempts to correct the eggregious restriction on our right to free speech by restoring our full First Amendment rights to us and allowing issue advocacy ads to appear within the current blackout period of 30 - 60 days before an election. I support passage of H.R. 3801 and want to encourage your support of this vital legislation to ensure that it reaches the President's desk and is signed into law.

[The_Eaglet]

Great letter. May I paste into my future letters?

[DustyMoment]

Have at it, my friend.

[Valin]

Very well put!

[The_Eaglet]

Forward Link:
Starting the Climb Back up the Slippery Slope-C F R Thread, Day 98