FEC Lawyers Back Socialist Workers Party

AP/NY Newsday ^ | 31 Mar 2003 | SHARON THEIMER

[adam_az]

WASHINGTON -- The Socialist Workers Party, long allowed to keep its donors secret because of the danger of harassment, should continue to receive the special protection, Federal Election Commission lawyers say.

The party asked the commission to extend its exemption from FEC reporting requirements that other political parties face, including identifying its contributors, the candidates it supports and the businesses it buys from. The exemption, given for six years at a time, was first granted by a court in 1979 and last renewed by the commission in 1996.

The Socialist Workers Party advocates a Marxist revolution to overthrow the U.S. government. Taking the Russian and Cuban revolutions of the 20th century as models, it wants to replace the country's capitalist system with a government of workers and farmers.

"It is a small political party and controversial, and contributors could be easily deterred from acting on their conscience out of fear of retaliation," said Michael Krinsky, a New York attorney representing the party.

The party supported its new petition with dozens of pages of testimony from members who say they have faced threats and other harassment from law enforcement officers, employers and others while distributing party literature, collecting signatures to get party candidates on ballots and engaging in other party activities.

FEC attorneys are recommending that the commission approve the extension when it meets Thursday. The long history of threats, violence and harassment by law enforcement and private parties "continues to have a chilling effect on possible membership in or association with SWP," they wrote.

[adam_az]

This is completely psychotic.

[adam_az]

FREEP the FEC!

http://www.fec.gov/

[wideawake]

If you're willing to advocate for a violent overthrow of the US government, then you should be willing to reveal your name to the people you're plotting to kill.

[zingzang]

The Socialist Workers Party advocates a Marxist revolution to overthrow the U.S. government

Isn't advocating such things illegal?

[IronJack]

What kind of crap is this? It's typical of the Left to make outrageous claims but then lack the courage to face the consequences. However, generally they aren't aided by the Election Commission.

[Cachelot]

The Socialist Workers Party advocates a Marxist revolution to overthrow the U.S. government

Sounds like a terrorist organization. Why are any members of this organized crime outlet still at large?

[3AngelaD]

Of course they don't want to reveal their membership or sources of revenue. Then we would know, among other things, who is financing the anti-war movement, not to mention Frank Rich's lavish vacations. I wonder what happened to the American media's insistence on open records in this situation, which apparently has been going on for years. Why are the Washington Post and the New York Times not on their high horse? What if the Republican Party claimed the same immunity because of perceived threats? This kind of exception makes a mockery of federal election law. I think a huge freep is in order here.

[freedom_from_socialism]

"The Socialist Workers Party..."

Let me guess, the majority of the "workers" are unemployed druggies?

[8mmMauser]

The Socialist Workers Party advocates a Marxist revolution to overthrow the U.S. government

Wonder what the other socialist organizations advocate. What about the DSA? Do others have matching platforms? What do French socialists want? What did the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics want?

I am curious as to what goals these groups have in common, would be glad for some enlightenment.

[RAT Patrol]

Oh good grief!

[soycd]

The FEC needs a MAJOR FREEPING!

WHo is running this band of outlaws? Are they leftovers from the clinton era? Can President Bush clean up this disgrace?

[Quix]

I agree.

It IS psychotic.

'Let's protect our enemies 6 ways to Sunday while they do every covert and not so covert thing they can get away with to destroy our way of life!'

[Quix]

I realize it would likely be

(post

her unroyal lowness,
her hideous heinous--
Bwitch Shrillery)

it would be impossible politically--but

why

can't this group be declared illegal and outlawed because they advocate the violent overthrow of the government?

[Teacher317]

You just KNOW that they're receiving oodles of state and federal tax money.

[Beck_isright]

It's already public. Just get the membership list for the Screen Actors Guild.

[Cultural Jihad]

Let me guess, the majority of the "workers" are unemployed druggies?

Naw, these men are dedicated revolutionaries who strive to wear their panties in public and not be ridiculed.

[Teetop]

Of course they want to keep donors secret, otherwise no one would donate! LOL

Everything should be out in the open, just as it is with everyone else.

[Kay Ludlow]

This is completely psychotic.

No kidding! I wrote to my legislators today, but there isn't much time. Don't they make their decision Thursday?

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Actually the Socialist Workers party is the Trotskyite Communist party, and Trotsky was not the only one of them to be murdered by the Communist Party itself. Of course, they still back Marxism-Leninism, and revolution!

[Cultural Jihad]

Everything should be out in the open, just as it is with everyone else.

Agreed. If they want to have their Party's name added to the ballots, then they should reveal their donor lists. If their donors are so secretive, paranoid, and jumpy about their fringe and violent ideas being exposed, then maybe they are not worthy of being on the ballots to begin with.