Justices Reject Campaign Finance Limits

New York Times ^ | 1/21/10

[codercpc]

I love the 1st Amendment, but I hate all the commercials at election time!!!!

[Rick_Michael]

To a devil’s advocate in ways:...what if the information is just plainly false and do you trust the populace in assuming the correct view in a short period of time?

[matt1234]

The DUmmies are in full blown meltdown. I particularly enjoyed this DUmmie post: “This undoes every gain in human rights since the Magna Carta. “

[Crim]

I got it I got it...stop the beatings!

*snicker*

[McGavin999]

I think the whole money thing is getting on everyone’s nerves. The ads are overwhelming and people will soon simply tune out.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"To a devil’s advocate in ways:...what if the information is just plainly false and do you trust the populace in assuming the correct view in a short period of time?"

Thats why I'm for no limits on funding campaigns. The solution to slanderous free speech is more free speech that answers the charges. There's going to be false information put out by candidates no matter how much you limit funding campaigns. Let the voters make up their minds. To be fair, I'm also not that concerned when the MSM laments about lack of voter participation. If citizens in this country don't care about voting and don't care to be educated on the issues, I could care less if they vote or not.

[worst-case scenario]

What’s next? Rollerball?

[steve-b]

I really thought it would go 2:1 for Brown.

Now, now, now; let's not be crazy. The place IS the People's Republic of Taxachusetts, after all....

[missanne]

YEA!!! I’m breaking out the bubbly TONIGHT! NRA BUMP!

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

You had to have been here to have experienced it.

[DoughtyOne]

Can we please remove our own Ted Kennedy from the Senate this November?

People here knew this was a POS bill from the get-go. It was just one more reach across the isle screw job by Cap’n McQueeg.

Time to walk the plank McQueeg.

[reaganrevolutionin2010]

How did the Wise Latina Woman vote?

[Revel]

Well this makes it a whole lot easier for The bankers to control the USA. Not that they seemed to be at a disadvantage before.

[I got the rope]

You are correct. They were selectively enforcing the law and McCain knew it.

The law was stupid and hurting us...because were the only ones following the rules.

[Rick_Michael]

This issue has always been a bit complex in my view. I believe we as individuals have free-speech and that institutions by that same respect must also have something similar, if not the same. But with respects to cash flow, corporations/unions will always have more money and money is far more influential than rational.

My view has always been that neither the people, corporations, unions, small business, etc....have a monopoly on what’s the right path for America. And yes, I do believe that free-speech is absolutely essential in maintaining that flow of ideas. To find that right path we must all be free to speak.

But I also understand the concept of war in politics and the functioning of propaganda. We as conservative know all too well how unions and liberal media outlets use their assets, and accusations go the other way as well. It’s without a doubt institutions of financial wealth influence our political reality. I’m much like Adams and Jefferson,....trying to weigh the ideal position and the practical situation, in effort to find harmony and sensibility out of incredible powers.

[Protect the Bill of Rights]

Since corporations do not vote, corporations should not contribute.

It really sucks when I leave out half of my thought process :-)

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I’m much like Adams and Jefferson,....trying to weigh the ideal position and the practical situation, in effort to find harmony and sensibility out of incredible powers."

Don't be too much like Adams. As President, he passed the sedition act which made it a crime to criticize the government or it's officials. One of the worst governmental abuses of free speech that has ever been perpetrated on U.S. citizens by it's government. And yes, there were a number of newspaper editors that went to jail by violating this act.

I think where you and I differ is that you are too concerned with free speech being used by the enemies of freedom. That doesn't concern me that much. The answer to that IMO is to have more free speech. I don't want to muzzle anyone. I believe that in the forum of ideas, if everyone gets a voice, most times the right ideas will win out. Let the people decide. It's when free speech is limited that the enemies of freedom (like the MSM and unions) win IMO.

[Rick_Michael]

I suppose my sentiments don’t come from the desire to do anything to speech, but perhaps my generalized agnostic feeling toward democracy ie I don’t think all opinions are equal. And I’m far from swayed in thinking that mere rights of speech guarantee a good republic.

A critical culture is the ultimate goal in my mind, and to be frank, I think our current culture of speech is anything but critical....it’s often just propaganda and mentally euthanized. I suppose with time and the breakdown of the old media, we might see a much more diverse set of groups offering a more intense view of the issues.

[Old Teufel Hunden]

"I don’t think all opinions are equal. And I’m far from swayed in thinking that mere rights of speech guarantee a good republic."

"I suppose with time and the breakdown of the old media, we might see a much more diverse set of groups offering a more intense view of the issues."

If you are not guaranteed the rights of free speech, then that means someone will have to be the arbiter of what opinons (speech) are valid and what are invalid. Who's that going to be? In a free society you let everyone speak their piece and let the public be the arbiter of what is a valid opinion and what is not. You are correct that free speech alone does not guarantee good governence. Ultimately, it's up to the citizens to pay attention and make good sober judgements on what is said and the people who are saying it. This cannot happen unless and until all sides get to speak their piece.