The Supreme Court last week decided, in McConnell vs FEC, to strip Americans of their rights to criticize politicians during elections. Oh, they left some loopholes, akin to Speaker's Corner in Hyde Park, but broadcast communication channels are now closed to free speech by organized groups. The only corporations exempted were the media owners themselves, which were granted exclusivity in poitical advocacy, in return for their editorial support.
Why? So that politics might avoid the "appearance of corruption." Yes, really. In order to prevent politicians from seeming corrupt, we need to prevent any organized group from saying "this person is corrupt." At least where people will hear it, on radio or TV. Make it so.
*sigh*
What we need, then, is an open conspiracy -- a public cabal -- to defy and/or overturn this law. Some of this can be within the law's limits, such as voluntary web campaigns for or against indentified candidates, or placement of Free Speech Conspiracy icons on web pages. Creative crowding of the law's permissable activites should be encouraged. Intentional purchase of banner ads on premeir web sites during the election cycle should be considered. In particular, "issue ads" attacking politicians who sponsored this travesty should be spread as widely as possbile. Example:
This commerical is illegal. The people who paid for it could be fined or go to jail. Why? Because Congressman X doesn't want commericals criticizing him during an election. Call Congressman X, and ask him why he fears criticism. Ask him if he believes in freedom of speech. Ask him if he remembers his oath of office. Demand he sponsor repeal of the political gag law. Then vote for the other guy.The conspiracy should have the following goal: Make our problem their problem. Make the opponents of free speech defend their position come re-election. Either they repeal the "issue ad" provisions, or they try to plug all the loopholes we create and/or exploit. But we need to act, simply griping and acquiescing will just lead to more of the same. Speech codes, anyone?