[red tie]

"Also, since gossip is free speech, blackmail is simply selling the service of not engaging in free speech. Why should that be outlawed?"

Because it allows wealthy people to pay to cover up their illegal crimes.

[Louis Foxwell]

Because it allows wealthy people to pay to cover up their illegal crimes.

Not necessarily. If the blackmailer has any marketing skills he will charge according to the target's ability to pay. A wealthy person will be hurt by inflating the cost of silence. Qny good used car salesman knows that discerning the customer's income is the first step in determining price.

[Republic of Texas]

Covering up a crime is illegal. Stossel was referring to gossip, which is not illegal.

[Smokin' Joe]

Because it allows wealthy people to pay to cover up their illegal crimes.

Or provides incentive for the person of means to eliminate, directly or indirectly, anyone who might be a threat. (Would murder for hire increase instead?)