Word: reformer
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...forum was sponsored by The Harvard Coalition for Drug Policy Reform and the Institute of Politics...
Campaign finance reform is a lawful way to prevent “vote buying,”right? Think again. Campaign finance reform is an unconstitutional restriction on free speech. Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) was right in filing suit on March 27 challenging the constitutionality of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002. Many misguided Americans believe that it is acceptable to disregard the First Amendment when it comes to campaign contributions. The newly enacted law censors speech by limiting the financial avenues citizens can use to get their voices heard by government. Instead of creating a more democratic...
Campaign finance reform also disregards personal fortunes candidates can use during elections. The law attempts to limit the playing field by allowing candidates to voluntarily accept equal amounts from the government should they reject soft money. This rule, however, makes it a crime for a wealthy donor to contribute to campaigns while it does not limit use of a candidate’s personal fortune. Thus, the law favors the wealthy as well as entrenched incumbents...
...money sponsors candidates who express and represent the views and ideas of their contributors. Just because some individuals disagree with what contributions are used to say, there is no legitimate reason to restrict the protection of speech guaranteed under the First Amendment. A provision of the new reform places restrictions on a group’s ability to broadcast commercials that mention candidates within 60 days of election. This rule diminishes the ability of political groups to express their views through advertisements. For example, in 1972 the U.S government sued the New York Times for publishing an advertisement condemning bombings...
People who say that campaign finance reform is still necessary do not have enough faith in the American public. Yes, those with more money will have more advertisements, for example, but if what is being proposed in these ads is outrageous, spending on them is not going to influence the way people vote. Candidates who spend more money on campaigns are successful because voters understand thoroughly what they represent compared to their opponents. All citizens can judge what is best for them in the politicians they elect to office. Publicity is merely one way to get acquainted with the arguments...