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April 29, 2006

Does Free Speech Equate to Corruption?

Sometimes it seems like you can't swing a dead cat without hitting some supposed right or another that has been reserved for quote We the People. All of these Amendments cluttering up the place... if only there were an honest politician handy to clean things up.

As if on cue, RedState has a video clip of Senator John McCain telling radio personality Don Imus that he prefers McCain-Feingold to the dirty old First Amendment.

"He [Michael Graham] also mentioned my abridgement of First Amendment rights, i.e. talking about campaign finance reform... I know that money corrupts... I would rather have a clean government than one where quote First Amendment rights are being respected, that has become corrupt. If I had my choice, I'd rather have the clean government."

Ah... it's about time for the issue of campaign finance to jump back to the front burner, what with the 2006 elections coming up this fall. Now, I am sure that John McCain has honest intentions... of keeping his Senate seat forever, that is. He is a power broker - one of about a hundred in the Senate. Are there really Republicans who are hoping he makes a run for the presidency in 2008? Why?

As one of the commenters at RedState says, "He is a terrific AMERICAN citizen and a war hero; however, he should not hold any political office." And yet, the people of Arizona keep sending him back.

Any chance Senator McCain would like to look into some of the other anti-corruption techniques... like term limits?

Let's agree that campaign finance is a Major Issue again, shall we? I need to be pointed toward a member of Congress, or even a candidate, who will take a solid libertarian stance on the Major Issue. You know - that the Constitution means what it says, and says what it means. That it enshrines and protects our rights, which are not to be skirted with attempts to "clean up". Anyone?

Wulf Posted by Wulf on April 29, 2006 at 10:08 PM

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Comments

I posted an entry on my blog about McCain supporting the forced relocation of Native American families, in order to turn the land over to a strip-miner....

Evil McCain....

Posted by: Libertarian Jason at April 30, 2006 10:11 AM

If I had my choice, I'd rather have the clean government."

Christ on a stick, that's the whole point of the Bill of Rights. He's not supposed to get a F*^&'ing choice.

Posted by: Jon Henke at April 30, 2006 11:27 AM

Any chance Senator McCain would like to look into some of the other anti-corruption techniques... like term limits?

I disagree that term limits would be a corruption fighting technique. If you think about the incentives involved I think that corruption would become even more prevalent.
Today, politicians must put up the illusion that they are legislating for the majority because they want to get re-elected. With term limits the illusion disappears. Politicians will be out to get as much for themselves and special interests because that is what serve them the best.

Posted by: Chris at May 1, 2006 10:05 AM

I'll be honest, Chris, I don't know whether term limits are a good thing or not.

I used to think not - if The People want the politician to stay on, then isn't it our right to have him/her? And for most arguments about politicians massing political favors over years of service, it seems that it would be pretty easy to continue that practice by proxy - vote for John McCain's stooge over and over, knowing who is really in charge. I don't see that they address this well.

But I would prefer to see McCain considering term limits than limitations on my right to speak freely. The benefit to term limits is at least debatable, but the benefit of McCain-Feingold is not.

Posted by: Wulf [TypeKey Profile Page] at May 1, 2006 10:35 AM

But I would prefer to see McCain considering term limits than limitations on my right to speak freely. The benefit to term limits is at least debatable, but the benefit of McCain-Feingold is not.

On that we certainly agree, of course McCain cares little for corruption in government, the only purpose of laws such as these are to cement incumbancy - I doubt even the most naive congressman thinks otherwise.

Posted by: Chris at May 1, 2006 8:33 PM

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