NeMon'ess's Journal: just a political dream

Congress passes a constitutional amendment declaring money is not free speech. Thereby allowing regulations on advocacy and campaign advertising. The goal being to reduce the influence of business, lobbyists, and letting politicians focus on the issues when they vote and run for office.

Yea? Nay? Why?

Nay

[Oculus Habent]

I believe Constitutional amendments should secure freedoms for all, not take them away. That is what laws are for. This flexibility allows the principles of our government to stand firmly while the tides of laws come and go.

I don't believe that money is free speech. Money doesn't buy freedom of speech. Money buys the megaphone. That said, the size of your megaphone does have an effect.

Should there be a system in place to prevent deep pockets from buying political influence? I think so. I don't, however, hav

Re:Nay

[NeMon'ess]

Except that some courts have ruled that campagign contribution limits do limit [claremont.org] free speech. They do say money is speech.

To go back to your first sentence, the Constitution nails down some things that may not be done. Adding a new one would be useful since some courts have been ruling that money-speech freedoms over-ride finance limits.

Deep Pockets Buying Power

[5leafclover]

I am a firm believer that deep pockets should be able to buy power. I don't think that they should be able to buy all the power. I further believe that the power they can buy should be defined and regulated. But, I digress. The ability to get deep pockets implies in most cases the ability to accomplish feats. That translates directly into ability to lead in most cases. MOST :-) it is a generalization and I am in no way implying that all rich persons should or can lead.

Re:Deep Pockets Buying Power

[NeMon'ess]

Except that many of the deepest pockets these days are multi-national corporations with apolitical and sociopathic interests. Of course my proposed amendment has about as much chance of passing as one that would declare corporations aren't people. Either would go a long way toward making a better political system.