Mike has a link and post about legislation introduced by a Texan:
Congressman Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) introduced a companion piece of legislation to Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid’s bill (S.678) to exclude the Internet from the definition of “public communication” in the Bipartisan Campaign Finance Reform Act of 2002.
Again, I concur with the sentiment, but believe using an exemption only makes some politicians and bureaucrats believe they actually have the power to control free speech.
Consider for a moment the expressed reasons for BCRA in the first place. The selling point was that there was too much money being given to candidates and parties. Big Money™ was buying influence.
If that is the reason for BCRA, why are the politicians and bureaucrats even looking at the internet? The cost for setting up and operating a web site is chump change compared to what these guys spend for haircuts.
Ron Coleman used a lot more words to say the same thing: http://likelihoodofconfusion.blogspot.com/2005/04/online-freedom-of-speech-carveout-bill.html.
(Via Dean’s World: http://www.deanesmay.com/posts/1113563017.shtml.)
Comment by UML Guy — April 15, 2005 @ 6:39 am
Of course, UML Guy. I get paid by the hour.
Comment by Ronald Coleman — April 15, 2005 @ 8:00 am
How do you get that gig?!
Comment by Bunker — April 15, 2005 @ 8:50 am
No sir, won’t support this one either. Like I said before, I won’t report, I won’t comply, and I won’t cooperate. Any regulations that get put in will be defied every time I post, and I’ll be waiting for them to come. If they come with papers, I’ll see them in court. If they come with guns, they’ll meet the same.
Comment by Phelps — April 15, 2005 @ 11:48 am