Re: [OpenHeroQuest] Re: Campaign Finance Case

From: Chris Lemens <chrislemens_at_tsKXTIQNNaLp2ChXXov_bb9PWy3xyZre0IZiLv_E81R9pekdN84z4jw40DMdTDLl>
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 2003 06:57:09 -0800 (PST)


yak-off sez, in reply to my observation:

> > The Cato Institute Amicus Curiae brief is
> > interesting. I agree with most of it.

> Oh well, that about says it all doesn't it?
> The Cato Insitute is a well known bunch of
> right wing wackos masquerading as an think-tank
> with about as much intellectual credibility
> as a bunch of developmentaly-retarded
> scrapie-infected sheep...

Gotta add that one to the list of excellent insults.

> Just look at their oppinions on AIDS for example.
>
> Anyone who relies on their judgement for
> making their decisions has
> about the same intellectual capacity (cf GW).

I've not read much that they have written, and nothing on AIDS, so I guess I'm not the one you're talking about: I couldn't possibly rely on their opinions if I don't know what they are. In fact, I only said I agreed with most of it, implying that I differed to some degree.

The specific point that they were making was that the "appearance of corruption" that the campaign finance law was intended to attack is simply a feature of democracy: People say it is corruption, but corruption is the use of public office for personal gain. Here, the campaign contributions are political speech or political association for the purpose of influencing political outcomes. Surely, that's got to be allowed in a liberal, representative democracy? If not, what, in principle, distinguishes it from me and four buddies writing a letter to our Congressman? It is an intellectually engaging, well-written (from a pure craftsmanship point of view), and remarkably short (which, I suppose, reflects the simplicity of their position).

> Thankfully I managed to get out of the US before
> it went completely insane.

Good riddance. Still, this case really worries me. If the Congress can ban pure political speech by groups it designates, why can't we ban political speech by (for example) environmental groups, feminist groups, churches, etc.?



Chris Lemens

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