For those of you playing along at home, a "statist" is anyone who believes taxes are not theft and that government can be a force for good for society.

The process isn't magical so much as it is organic and predictable.

It seems like a form of double dipping - a mechanism by which business owners may not only vote and contribute personally towards political campaigns, but also utilize the resources of their company or companies to "suggest" legislation, contribute MORE money directly towards their preferred candidates, and make unlimited campaign ads in support of the aforementioned candidates and legislation.

In so doing, they presume to speak for everyone under their employ - whether they be a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Green or firetruck red Communist. Whether they support net neutrality, gay marriage, UHC or immigration reform.

They take a portion of the wealth those employees created through their efforts for the company, and then use it to buy laws and legislation those employees might find disagreeable or abhorrent.

It's not quite as awesome as limiting the franchise to wealthy male landowners, but apparently it's good enough for government work.

Gosh, I wonder how this will play out?

This would turn almost everyone I know into a felon. Convicted felons can't vote. Used to be, they didn't want poor people to vote. Now it looks like they're going to go after the intelligent and informed.

Obviously, nothing should enter the public domain until it is dug from the ground by an archaeologist.

Tell you what- I'll think about it if you stop trying to equate copyright infringement with theft.

You damn well better buy those CDs- legislators don't exactly bribe themselves, you know! -and our lawyers aren't taking students and grandmas to court out of the goodness and kindness of their hearts, either.

Signed,

Your friends at the RIAA