No To Suppression of Free Speech

I oppose this bill.

Freshman lawmakers in the state Assembly want to limit special interest issue ads. The nine newest Democratic lawmakers in the Assembly have introduced a bill that would restrict so-called issue ads that target candidates for statewide office.

State Representative Cory Mason (D-Racine), one of the sponsors, says the bill would prevent groups from airing political ads within 60 days of an election if they aren’t registered as a political group with the state. Mason says this would force groups to disclose who is funding their activities. Such groups currently avoid reporting requirements because their ads don’t endorse a specific candidate.

Look, I detest many of the ads too.  Some of them horribly distort the facts and border on lying.  But politics ain’t bean bag and the people have a right to speak their minds.

Remember that these groups are just a group of people with a viewpoint.  Greater Wisconsin Committee, Coalition for America’s Families, etc. are just an organized group of people who use their money to advocate for causes and candidates.  They have a right to engage in the political debate just like you and me. 

This is not a Left or Right issue.  It’s an issue that divides those who love freedom and those who want the government to curtail our freedom of speech. 

If this bill doesn’t disturb you, let’s take their logic a little further.  They are pushing for this law because:

State Representative Gordon Hintz (D-Oshkosh) says the often negative ads distort the facts and mislead voters. He says candidates can choose to ignore the ads, but the public may have a hard time distinguishing between serious political messages and attack ads. The Oshkosh Democrat says the ads have no place in Wisconsin’s political system.

Couldn’t the same thing be said of blogs?  The only difference is that blogs reach fewer people than TV and radio ads, but the premise is the same.  What about talk radio?  Should the government have to approve talk radio scripts 60 days before an election?  What about newspaper editorials and columns?  I would argue that many of Joel McNally’s columns are just as bad as some of those TV ads.  The only difference is that nobody actually takes Joel seriously. 

Like I said, the premise that the government should regulate free political expression within 60 days of an election because they don’t like the tone of that expression is offensive and oppressive.  I’m no fan of the Greater Wisconsin Committee, but I will not stand by while their liberty is stripped of them.  After all, it may be my liberty that the government comes after next.