posted on May, 4 2014 @ 01:37 PM
a reply to:
CB328
Something seems a little fishy to me. She wants to amend the Constitution to allow Congress to limit campaign contributions. This in response to the
Supreme Court rulings that essentially say that corporations are people and money is free speech, so unlimited corporate donations are considered
"free speech."
It seems to me that Congress is never really shy about limiting free speech, or any other right, Constitution or no. If Congress really wanted to
limit campaign contributions, they would just pass a law. I'm sure some group of lawyers could word it in such a way that it would comply with the
recent Supreme Court rulings. So why would Congress feel they have to change the Constitution to pass a law? Couldn't they just fall back on the old
standbys Interstate Commerce or National Security? Or they could get real creative: Establish a "Campaign Contribution Free Speech Zone" where
Congressmen must pick up their campaign contributions in person in full view of news cameras. That would get good ratings.
I would really need to read the changes she proposes to the Constitution before I could have an opinion on it. But just off hand, I'm a little
suspicious. If the legislation only affects campaign contributions, that's fine with me. But does it have any broader implications on free
speech?
As far as I'm concerned, the Constitution and related amendments are there to protect the rights of the people. Amendments that limit the rights of
the people, like Prohibition for instance, don't belong.
EDIT TO ADD:
After reading S.J.Res.19 online, I don't see anything hinky in it so far, although it seems a little sparse compared to legislation usually proposed.
For one thing, it mentions limiting contributions and the way they are spent, but it doesn't mention that these limitations must apply equally. For
instance, I don't see anything that would prevent a state legislature from limiting Candidate A to, say, $1 million while limiting Candidate B to $10
million.
edit on 4-5-2014 by VictorVonDoom because: Read the Bill, sorry Ms. Pelosi.