COMMENTARY | Just when you thought Nancy Pelosi had run out of incredibly absurd ideas, she embarks on an attack of the First Amendment.
Yes folks, the woman who suggested passing a bill to find out what is in it now wants to inhibit free speech. During a Democratic forum to discuss amending the Constitution earlier this week Pelosi promoted her "clear agenda" to limit free speech of corporations in an effort to control special interest campaign money, according to Hot Air.
As usual, Pelosi is working on a far-left liberal agenda which is anything but transparent. The limits on free speech and political spending would apply to businesses but not unincorporated unions.
Limiting special interest group influence on political campaigns is a fine idea, but tinkering with the First Amendment is not the way to accomplish the task. Twisting the principles which America was founded upon is an idea so offensive that even far-left liberal voters should be offended. CNS News reports that People for the American Way and Common Cause are joining Pelosi's in her quest to limit free speech.
Even if Pelosi and her cohorts were successful, reducing the right to free speech would not inhibit corporations from donating massive amounts of money to political campaigns. The proposed amendment would only mandate that corporations use political action committees (PAC) instead of general treasury funds to support candidates, according to CNS News. The infringement upon free speech would create more work for government accountants but not halt political spending.
The amendment would reverse the 2010 Supreme Court decision on federal elections policies which found free speech rights apply to both corporations and individuals, The Blaze reports. As Chief Justice John Roberts so aptly noted, newspaper, radio, Internet, film and book publishers should not be censored by the government. If the decision is overturned, even posters with a political theme would be banned if produced with corporate funds.
The Blaze notes Pelosi's proposed amendment states in Section 3 that freedom of the press will not be limited. The amendment would create unnecessary hurdles for publishers by forcing the formation of a PAC to pay for articles, broadcasts or videos which are political in nature. Small radio stations and newspapers would struggle to survive with such added daily accounting burdens.
A free press is necessary for the exchange of ideas and to serve as a watchdog against government corruption.
Tara Dodrill is a political, eco-green and travel writer. She is a former elected official and has worked as a newspaper journalist, editor and photographer.
