THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE – RESTORE FREEDOM OF SPEECH
By Michael Lewis
The creation of the so called Federal Election Commission in 1974 was a
violation of the 1st Amendment and the regulations it enforces are
unconstitutional.
Contrary to the 1st Amendment, Congress wrote laws that abridge citizen’s
freedoms to assemble and use the press and speech to demand redress of
grievances from government. Restrictions were placed on how much individuals
and groups could spend communicating and elaborate reporting requirements
were established.
But the so called “press exemption”, 2 USC 431 (9) (B) (i), created an
unrestricted “state approved press”. 2 USC 431 (9) (B) (i) exempts
newspaper, broadcast and magazine corporations from the definition of
contribution and expenditure. The Buckley v. Valeo decision, which upheld
these reforms, effectively redefined free press as the right of media
corporations!
But freedom of speech and freedom of the press are supposed to be the
unalienable rights of natural persons, “we the people”! And exercising free
press rights has always involved the cost of paper, ink and distribution.
In the 184 year period prior to Watergate and the creation of the Federal
Election Commission, “we the people” had the freedom to raise and spend
money to exercise our press rights, that only State approved newspaper and
broadcast corporations enjoy today.
Congressmen, to restore the rights of your constituents, please amend the
press exemption to include every citizen and citizens group that communicate
political ideas and opinions!
A free press is a press not restricted or controlled by government
censorship regarding politics or ideology.
A gutter press engages in sensationalism.
August 31st, 2012 at 3:22 pm
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
