None Dare Call It Reform
by Robert Yoho, Associate Editor
"Eye on Conservatism"
In Washington, there are only two types of people who support campaign finance
reform: the deluded and the dishonest. Campaign finance reform should more accurately
be called the "Incumbent Protection Act."
The hardcore sponsors of this legislation are a dreadful infestation of deceitful, small-minded men, who fear they cannot succeed without silencing those who would dare to oppose them. They care more about the acquisition and maintenance of power than they do about the preservation of liberty.
The bill’s sponsors have no more respect for the First Amendment than they would for a used teabag. They have betrayed their oath of office to uphold the Constitution. And they do not want ordinary American citizens to have the means to expose them.
Campaign finance reform will not dry up the money in Washington. It just means that those seeking influence will have to be more creative in getting the money to the ones in power.
Sen.
John McCain (R-AZ, right) loves to go on television and pontificate about getting
the "special interests" out of Washington. However, you should be suspicious
of any politician who says that money is a corrupting influence. In a sense,
that politician is admitting that he is indeed a crook. When someone says that
corruption can only be stopped by changing the way we finance campaigns is a
little bit like a street walker claiming that outlawing prostitution is the
only way to keep her from hooking.
Are you really so foolish to believe that politicians in Washington will adequately legislate a way for opponents to unseat them? Are you naive enough to think that senators and congressmen will pass any bill to level the playing field for their political challengers?
Let me clue you in on a dirty little secret: campaign finance reform gives me a lot more power than you have! As a radio talk show host and columnist for the American Partisan, I have the opportunity to routinely influence the opinions of a vast audience. If this bill become law, the average guy on the street will no longer be able to make his individual voice heard. But I can! These media outlets give me the ability to loudly voice my opinions on the candidates who should get your vote.
Nobody has the constitutional right to tell you or anyone else what ads you can run and when you can run them. This legislation will increase the power of the media to influence electoral results. It’s like giving a weasel the keys to the hen house. The same people who overwhelming voted for Bill Clinton will now enjoy an even greater power to pick the winners and losers in Washington.
Other
than a few true statesman like Rep. Tom Delay (R-TX, left) or Sen. Mitch McConnell
(R-KY), you will not hear anyone criticize this legislation. However, there
is not a single American citizen who has not benefited from one of the "special
interests" in Washington! A belief that you hold, an activity you enjoy, or
perhaps a principle you value is most assuredly represented by a Washington
lobbyist. In reality, these special interests give the "little man" a voice
in the halls of power.
Special interests are nothing more than a collection of like-minded citizens. They pool their resources in order to amplify their opinions and wishes louder than the voice of a single individual.
When President Bush took the oath of office, he swore that he would uphold the United States Constitution. Therefore, I believe he has a sacred obligation to veto this blatant and shameless attack on the First Amendment. And if you are a citizen who values liberty, then you should demand it!
If you truly want to reform the system and get the money out of Washington, then there is one thing that could be done right now. But that is a column for another day. ***
COPYRIGHT © 2002 BY THE AMERICAN PARTISAN. All writers retain rights to their work.
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