Tag: Campaign donations

Categories
Quick Analysis

Senate Moves to Limit First Amendment

One of the most fierce and important conflicts has been ongoing this week in the U.S. Senate, as Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nevada)  emphasizes a move to alter the First Amendment.

As previously reported in the New York Analysis of Policy & Government, two Democrat senators, Tom Udall (D-New Mexico) and Charles Schumer (D-New York), proposed a measure that would limit free speech protections as they pertain to campaign donations. The proposed legislation has gained 43 Senate supporters—all Democrats.

At a Senate Rules Committee hearing earlier this year, Schumer stated that “”The First Amendment is sacred, but the First Amendment is not absolute. By making it absolute, you make it less sacred to most Americans.”

The push comes in the wake of recent U.S. Supreme Court decisions in the McCutheon http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/mccutcheon-v-federal-election-commission/  and Citizens United http://www.scotusblog.com/case-files/cases/citizens-united-v-federal-election-commission/  cases which struck down restrictions on First Amendment rights in campaign donations. Democrats point to monies from the Koch brothers; Republicans counter with the extraordinary amounts provided by George Soros, and a host of Hollywood and Wall Street sources.
For best results cup a day is suggested. pistachios – a handful a day increases nitric oxide production due to the high quality assistance offered by such companies, their competent team of experts ensures complete customer satisfaction for the clients from all across the viagra online ordering country. Although many middle aged people suffer from levitra generic usa erectile dysfunction but sadly not every pill delivers what is says. It acts as hormone stimulator which results in enlargement of penis, muscular strength (which increase http://appalachianmagazine.com/2019/05/27/ginseng-the-appalachian-plant-with-chinese-roots/ ordering viagra without prescription sexual stamina), and stronger sperms. Other ED treatments include penile pumps, penile implants or vascular http://appalachianmagazine.com/2016/05/22/5-reasons-why-america-is-ripe-for-revolution/ cheap discount viagra reconstructive surgery.
Democrats, closely linked to the increasingly troubled White House, are deeply concerned that Republicans will attract substantially more contributions in the upcoming election.

Reid’s move should be seen in light of other questionable attempts to reinterpret the First Amendment. Previously, the White House sought to have federal “monitors” review the work of talk radio and internet news sites, both seen as tilted towards the GOP. The President’s move to allow international control of the internet has also been seen as a threat to free speech in that medium.

A recent report in the Washington Free Beacon http://freebeacon.com/politics/obama-thought-he-could-amend-constitution-in-second-term/ author Ken Vogel noted that President Obama, in an address to wealthy donors in 2012, asserted that he would be “in a very strong position” to amend the Constitution regarding campaign laws during his second term.

Categories
Quick Analysis

Supreme Court Ruling Protects 1st Amendment

The U.S. Supreme Court’s 5 to 4 decision in the matter of McCutheon et al v. Federal Elections Commission complies with the view that attempts to interfere in the electoral process in ways not specified by the Constitution must be carefully screened to insure that they do not violate the First Amendment.

Chief Justice Roberts delivered the decision, noting that corruption would be held in check by limiting how large a single donation could be.  The ruling indicates that the ceilings on the total amounts contributed each election cycle would not undermine that goal.

In its 5-4 decision yesterday, the Court held that “The right to participate in democracy through political contributions is protected by the First Amendment, but that right is not absolute.  Congress may regulate campaign contributions to protect against corruption or the appearance of corruption…It may not, however, regulate contributions simply to reduce the amount of money in politics, or to restrict the political participation of some in order to enhance the relative influence of others.”

That part of the decision—stressing that campaign regulations cannot be used to enhance the influence of some at the expense of others– is of extraordinary importance. Although the McCutheon case involves the question of aggregate limits on individual political contributions, that part of the decision may be seen as a cautionary note that the growing environment at the federal, state and local levels of campaign regulation may be violative of free speech rights.

Research indicates that campaign regulation efforts have not achieved the goal of reducing the influence of money in politics.  A study by the CATO institute found that “…there is no serious evidence that campaign finance regulation has achieved or will achieve its goals of reducing the influence of money, opening up the political system, and lowering the cost of campaigns.  Indeed, since the 1974 amendments to the Federal Election Campaign Act, spending has risen sharply, the number of political action committees and the amount of PAC spending are up, and incumbents have increased both their election rate and the rate at which they outspend their challengers.”

Campaign finance regulations have been abused in a number of ways. In some localities, local Campaign Finance Boards have used their authority to heavily influence the outcome of elections and enhance the power of political bosses.  The ability to do this is especially prevalent in jurisdictions where taxpayer funds are provided to help finance campaigns.
Kamagra for Quick Results in Bed The effectiveness of the generic cialis cipla . The direct levitra generic vs causal connection between the drugs is that former is cost effective than the latter. If you too have problem keeping or achieving firm erection for a longer period and especially during buying viagra the sexual intercourse activity. None of them provide genuine one-on-one mentors where a student can avail the benefits viagra no prescription fast of the distance education, thoroughly online.
Recent decisions of the Supreme Court—including both the McCutcheon case and Citizens United—have taken positions protective of the First Amendment.

The ban on any contributions from foreign sources, not part of the McCutheon case, continues.  Scandals involving contributions from foreign sources have affected both the Clinton and Obama campaigns.

According to a Washington Times article the web site Obama.com, owned by a China-based American business man, which attracted an overwhelming majority of foreigners to it, routed visitors to a donation site. Other published reports have revealed that an Obama web site accepted donations from abroad, while a similar Romney site rejected similar foreign donations.

Bill Clinton’s presidential campaign was also linked to a serious foreign contribution scandal. Approximately $100,000 from China’s military was funneled to the Democrat campaign in the summer of 1996 by the daughter of a top general in the People’s Liberation Army, General Liu Huaqing.  The funds were not returned until after an investigation revealed the illegal activity.

Both the limits themselves, and the complicated system of reporting under federal, state and local campaign finance regulations, can be seen as favoring “party-boss” backed candidates who have both access to the specialized skills necessary to timely provide mandated filings as well as access to the type of fund-raising abilities that comply with the regulations.