Opinion

It's probably too late to organize a last-minute going away party for the ship of state, with balloons, streamers and a brass band on the dock playing "Nearer, my God, to Thee" so well-wishers with handkerchiefs can wave bon voyage to the First Amendment. Sept. 8 was embarkation day.

The abomination known as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 ("McCain-Feingold") effectively silences organizations hoping to exercise their former right of free speech. The two dominant political parties have corrupted the freedom of speech for unions, corporations and others by preventing their full participation in elections of federal officials.

The now-outsiders essentially are barred from using the electronic media -- during the 30 days before the primary election and 60 days before the general -- to criticize politicians running for federal offices, whether incumbents or challengers.

The duopoly's bipartisan scheme established very complicated fundraising rules that neuter free speech, according to John Samples, director of the Center for Representative Government at the Cato Institute.

Groups such as the National Rifle Association and the Sierra Club now cannot even mention a candidate who might be supporting or opposing crucial legislation.

In the name of preventing the appearance of corruption, McCain-Feingold has become the essence of it.

• Most Read
• Most E-mailed
• Latest News