January 21, 2010

Supreme Court: Campaign-finance limits violate free speech / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com

The ruling removed the ban applied 30 days before any primary and 60 days before a general election.  My question is, does this now allow Churches FREE SPEECH~
 
What is the bad part is the propaganda that the NWO Shadow will produce with the aristocrats such as SOROS and other world power brokers.
 
George
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 6:50 PM
Subject: [ronpaul-39] Supreme Court: Campaign-finance limits violate free speech / The Christian Science Monitor - CSMonitor.com

TROUBLE AHEAD!
 
 
 

Supreme Court: Campaign-finance limits violate free speech

The Supreme Court campaign finance ruling on Thursday means corporations can spend freely on political ads leading up to elections. The Thursday decision invalidates a part of 2002 McCain-Feingold campaign-finance reform law that sought to limit corporate influence.


By Warren Richey Staff writer
posted January 21, 2010 at 4:18 pm EST

Washington —

The US Supreme Court has struck down a major portion of a 2002 campaign-finance reform law, saying it violates the free-speech right of corporations to engage in public debate of political issues.

In a landmark 5-to-4 decision announced Thursday, the high court overturned a 1990 legal precedent and reversed a position it took in 2003, when a different lineup of justices upheld government restrictions on independent political expenditures by corporations during elections.

"Government may not suppress political speech on the basis of the speaker's corporate identity," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote in the 57-page majority opinion. "No sufficient governmental interest justifies limits on the political speech of nonprofit or for-profit corporations."

Ahead, a flood of corporate/union election spending?

The decision opens the gates for what campaign reform advocates warn will be a flood of corporate spending in future elections. The ruling is expected to permit similar political expenditures from the general treasuries of labor unions, as well.

"This is the most radical and destructive campaign-finance decision in the history of the Supreme Court," said Fred Worthheimer, president of Democracy 21.

"Today's decision is the Super Bowl of really bad decisions. It returns us to the days of the robber barons," said Bob Edgar, president of Common Cause.

Among political leaders, Democrats attacked the decision and Republicans praised it.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky lauded the decision as "monumental." Texas Sen. John Cornyn said he was pleased by the decision. "These are the bedrock principles that underpin our system of governance and strengthen our democracy," he said.

From the White House, President Obama called the ruling a "major victory for big oil, Wall Street banks, health insurance companies and other powerful interests that marshal their power every day in Washington to drown out the voices of everyday Americans."

Electioneering vs. free speech

At issue was a provision of the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act (BCRA), commonly referred to as the McCain-Feingold law. Section 203 of the law barred corporations and labor unions from using general treasury funds to pay for advertisements or other broadcasts that mention a political candidate in a way that Federal Election Commission officials might view as electioneering. The ban applied 30 days before any primary and 60 days before a general election.

Campaign-reform advocates said the provision was necessary to prevent a proliferation of noncandidate advertisements (paid for by wealthy corporations and unions) from crowding out the candidates' own campaign ads.

Critics of the regulation said it amounted to unconstitutional censorship. They argued that corporations should enjoy a First Amendment right to spend money and advocate political and policy positions during election seasons just as individuals can.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court agreed with the critics. "Rapid changes in technology – and the creative dynamic inherent in the concept of free expression – counsel against upholding a law that restricts political speech in certain media or by certain speakers," Justice Kennedy wrote. "The First Amendment does not permit Congress to make … categorical distinctions based on the corporate identity of the speaker and the content of the political speech."

The dissent: 'integrity of elected institutions' at stake

In a 90-page dissent, Justice John Paul Stevens denounced the majority opinion as a dangerous rejection of common sense. "While American democracy is imperfect, few outside the majority of this court would have thought its flaws included a dearth of corporate money in politics," he wrote.

"The court's ruling threatens to undermine the integrity of elected institutions across the nation," he said.

The high court decision leaves intact campaign contribution regulations – including laws barring campaign contributions to federal candidates from corporations and unions. It also leaves intact laws barring so-called soft-money contributions to political parties.

Corporate disclosure still required

In a second portion of its decision, the Supreme Court voted 8 to 1 to uphold a portion of BCRA requiring corporations and others to disclose their involvement in political advertisements. Those disclosures include identifying who is responsible for the content of an advertisement and who contributed money to support the making of the advertisement.

The lone dissent in that portion of the decision came from Justice Clarence Thomas.

In the main portion of the decision, Kennedy was joined by Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Thomas, Antonin Scalia, and Samuel Alito.

Justice Stevens' dissent was joined by Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Stephen Breyer, and Sonia Sotomayor.

The major shift in the high court's campaign-finance jurisprudence was made possible by the retirement of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor a few years ago and the arrival of her replacement, Justice Alito. The decision also represents a move by Chief Justice Roberts away from a middle-ground compromise he attempted to broker in a prior campaign finance case. Instead, he has now apparently moved toward a broader accord with the high court's conservative wing on campaign finance issues.

The chief justice addressed this shift in a concurring opinion joined by Alito. During his confirmation hearing, Roberts told the Senate in often quoted remarks that he would be a judicial minimalist who would follow the rule that "if it is not necessary to decide more, it is necessary not to decide more."

But this case was different, the chief justice wrote in his concurrence. It required a broad ruling, he said. "There is a difference between judicial restraint and judicial abdication," he added.

Previous Supreme Court ruling invalidated

In reaching its decision, the court invalidated a 1990 Supreme Court ruling, Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce, which first established the legal approach adopted in Section 203 of BCRA. The Austin decision justified restrictions on corporate expenditures to prevent wealthy special interests from distorting the campaign playing field and dominating the marketplace of ideas.

The majority justices said the government restrictions interfered with the open marketplace of ideas rather than protected it. "By suppressing the speech of manifold corporations, both for-profit and non-profit, the government prevents their voices and viewpoints from reaching the public," Kennedy wrote.

"When government seeks to use its full power, including the criminal law, to command where a person may get his or her information or what distrusted source he or she may not hear, it uses censorship to control thought. This is unlawful," Kennedy wrote. "The First Amendment confirms the freedom to think for ourselves."

Role of 'Hillary: The Movie'

The decision comes in a case called Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The case involved a decision by the FEC to block video-on-demand broadcasts of a 90-minute documentary attacking the potential presidential candidacy of Hillary Rodham Clinton.

The film, "Hillary: The Movie," was produced by Citizens United, a conservative nonprofit corporation. The group complained that the FEC action was unconstitutional censorship of political speech.

The agency responded that the documentary was similar to a pre-election broadcast attack advertisement and thus could be regulated by the FEC under BCRA.

Citizens United filed suit, arguing before a three-judge panel that the McCain-Feingold law was unconstitutional in the way it was being enforced by the FEC against "Hillary: The Movie."

The panel disagreed. It ruled that the documentary was the functional equivalent of electioneering and that Citizens United must disclose the documentary's financial supporters if it wanted to run broadcast ads during election season.

In its ruling on Thursday, the high court upheld the lower court's ruling on the disclosure issue but reversed on the constitutional challenge.

 

MI Senatepresents Real Leadership for Real Problems | But still no tax structure change to MiFairTax

The steps taken by the MI Senate are necessary, tough and will hurt.  But it will be worse the coming year if we don't change our State's tax structure. 
 
The Democrat propose for structural change are harmful and will not go far enough to bring back jobs.  We need the http://MiFairTax.org on the fall ballot so we the people can decide which plan to use. 
 
George
 
----- Original Message -----
From: Ron Weiser
Sent: Thursday, January 21, 2010 4:28 PM
Subject: Real Leadership for Real Problems

  

MICHIGAN REPUBLICAN PARTY
Weekly Standard
January 21, 2010

 

 

Dear Friends,

 

Unless circumstances change, the outlook for Michigan's future is grim. Just review some recent facts on Michigan's current economic status. Unemployment jumped 5.6 percent from 2008 to 2009, the largest one-year jump on record and currently stands at 14.6 percent. The state faces a $1.8 billion budget deficit. Michigan is the second worst state on the economic stress index.
 
In order to Fix Michigan, we must reform. Our GOP leaders in Lansing understand that and this week laid out of reform package that could yield a potential savings of $2 billion.
 
Democrat leadership has consistently passed on reforms, Most recently, they used temporary, federal stimulus dollars to plug the gap. Because of their unwillingness to provide the necessary structural reform the budget crisis continues.
 
The coming negotiations promise to be brutal, as Republicans try to get a tough budget passed through a hostile House and governor, while the Democrats attempt to use delay tactics in order to pass the buck on to whomever takes over after November's elections. Though the deck is stacked against them, Michigan Republicans have taken an early stand.
 
The GOP Senate reform package cuts government spending by reforming some practices and cutting other wasteful ones. All of this will prevent Michigan residents from having to endure yet another tax increase. Six areas are covered in the GOP plan and include reforms in:
 
·         Public employee health care;
·         Local police and fire;
·         K-12 school spending;
·         Medicaid spending;
·         Government efficiency; and
·         Public employee compensation.

These reforms are serious and meaningful changes to the way this state conducts business. We have not seen results under the current Democratic leadership. Changes must be made and they must start today, not next year or the year after that. This reform package is a bold step in the right direction— Republican legislators are taking responsibility and making the tough calls when needed. They know that no empty words will make things better, only real leadership will Fix Michigan.
 
Win in '10
,

 

Ron Weiser, Chairman 

 


P.S. I'm so excited about our opportunities for victory this year.  Please pass this along to your friends adn family so they can see how Republicans are working to Fix Michigan and so they can join the fight. 

  

 

Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with regulated funds.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
520 Seymour Avenue, Lansing, MI  48933

Real Change Begins

 

Don't miss the latest MRP TV video "Real Change Begins" that looks at the Obama Administration's first year. You may view the video here. Be sure to share it with you friends. Help spread our message of real reform and real change in Michigan.


Michigan Efforts Pay Off In Massachusetts
 

I'm proud to say that Michigan did our part to help secure the historic win for Senator Brown in Massachusetts. A number of our field staff spent a week in the Bay State, knocking on doors and working in phone banks to turn out the vote for Brown. In addition, more than 50 volunteers from Macomb County jumped on some busses and made their way out last week. Those who couldn't go east made more than 2,000 phone calls over the weekend. A very special thank you goes out to Macomb County Chairman Jared Maynard and 12th District Chair Janice Nearon for their efforts to motivate Macomb County volunteers. 

 


 

 


Unsubscribe



No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 9.0.730 / Virus Database: 271.1.1/2636 - Release Date: 01/21/10 02:34:00

Is Scott Brown good for us?/ "the subsidiarity movement"-CatholicVote

 



Dear CatholicVote Member,

The news is still sinking in.

The people of Massachusetts ignited a political firestorm on Tuesday by electing Scott Brown to the seat vacated by the late Senator Kennedy.

CatholicVote did not endorse Brown, nor did we urge voters to elect him. Instead we fired back at Martha Coakley's assault on Catholic doctors and nurses with phone calls to nearly 200,000 people in Massachusetts.

But many rightly are asking – if Scott Brown supports abortion, is CatholicVote happy that he was elected? Let me explain.

First, Senator-elect Scott Brown opposes using taxpayer funds for abortion, opposes partial-birth abortion, and supports other laws that would provide parents and women notice, counseling, and information prior to an abortion. But his opponent Martha Coakley was proudly 100% pro-abortion.

Scott Brown is certainly not an ideal candidate. After all, he supports Roe v. Wade! So the question must be asked -- how should faithful Catholics, Christians, and dedicated activists that want to build a culture of life respond -- how do we fit in?

Do you remember the 'S' word?

The 's' word is subsidiarity. And Scott Brown's win was a victory for subsidiarity – a key principle of Catholic social doctrine, and a foundational principle of American self-government.

The surge that propelled Scott Brown into office was largely a response to Congress' overreach on health care. Americans of both political parties, and huge numbers of independents elected Scott Brown because of what he represents – a chance to stop the government first "reform" crusade. And because Scott Brown was elected, the health care 'reform' debacle may finally be stopped.

The Power of People

Subsidiarity simply means that issues ought to be solved by the smallest and least centralized competent authority. Families, charities, churches and local communities, and even states ought to be the primary instruments of political change --- as opposed to a massive bureaucratic centralized federal government.

And thus, while Scott Brown is ultimately wrong about abortion, he is definitely right in urging us to think anew about the proper size and role of government in a free society. And for this reason, CatholicVote is happy he won.

Think about it – the issues we care most about – abortion, marriage, protecting embryonic life, moral and ethical health care, school choice, helping the poor…have all been a disaster when our political leaders ignored the principle of subsidiarity. In almost every case, where Washington D.C. decides, we lose.

The Catholic understanding of the dignity of the human person of course begins with the right to life. But our dignity doesn't end once we are born. It includes our capacity to act responsibly, to work, take risks, build businesses, raise children, and to help those who need our help. Our God created us with more talents, creativity, AND hearts than any politician in Washington will ever give us credit for. Government can't love. But the human person can, and does.

So where do we go from here?

The stage has been set for a massive rethinking about how our government ought to operate. How much it ought to control, regulate, and spend. And behind these questions, is the question of whether Americans are ready to re-assume control of our lives.

Make no mistake, we need leaders willing to stand for the principle that every life is sacred. Scott Brown is not that candidate. At least not yet!

But his victory set in motion a movement that many Americans thought was no longer possible. This movement -- call it "the subsidiarity movement" – may very well carry us to the political place where life, faith, and family are truly victorious.

Don't believe me? Don't count America out yet. The power of humanity may surprise you.

Just ask Martha Coakley.

Sincerely,


Brian Burch, President
CatholicVoteAction.org


NOTE: This message was paid for by CatholicVoteAction.org.  As a public policy advocacy group, contributions to CatholicVoteAction.org are NOT tax-deductible. Contributions to CatholicVote.org remain tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law. 

Follow CatholicVoteAction on: Facebook Twitter

 


CatholicVoteAction.org, P.O. Box 2709, Chicago, IL 60690
Call us at 312-201-6559
Support CatholicVoteAction by visiting
https://www.catholicvoteaction.org/donations.php


This message was intended for: rgdunn@veionline.com
You were added to the system November 3, 2008. For more information
click here.
Update your preferences | Unsubscribe



Brown's  victory set in motion a movement that many Americans thought was no longer possible. This movement -- call it "the subsidiarity movement" – may very well carry us to the political place where life, faith, and family are truly victorious.


Detroit News-As Massachusetts voters speak, Lansing leaders should listen |Politic Greed or Insanity?

My comment:
 
True enough the Michigan Legislature is wimps to running this Country.  If they had any Statesmanship, they would be standing up to the lobbyists and passing FairTax onto the ballot and letting we the people choose aye or nay, on the fix of Jobs.
 
The cure to the union issue and politics, the reason for all the flack, is to mandate no donations may be made by any entity but the registered voter.  That will end union dues going to politicians.
 
The imbalance of logic and perpetuity in the Michigan Legislature and the Governor is the placing of Party over Michigan as what is important.  Legislatures need to be Statesman, not hacks for the GOP & Dems. 
 
The Liberal Business group plan to put tax on the poor through sales tax on services without the FairTAx prebate is at the very least monstrous and a typical mindset of feed the aristocrat by taking the remaining crumbles from the downtrodden. 
 
Why is the lack of jobs being further stimulated without any conceptual understanding?  Why is it that the so called leaders who have not publicly acknowledged the reason for our State and Nation's demise is all about taxes?  Why indeed, certainly not a generation of leaders anywhere close tot he character and fortitude of our Founding Fathers, kind of a sad reflection of our educational system today, which belongs to the local powers, we the people, vouchers please.
 
Eliminate all non-essential State services by a temporary suspension until we get back on our feet.  Get back on our feet by learning and adopting the MiFairTAx and the national FairTax plans to infuse more jobs then employees, reform the State Healthcare system by enacting HSA/IRA Plan and get out of the way of the private enterprise.  Allow prosperity to happen.  Carbon is our friend, not the tool of those who wish for a World Governance of Communism.  If companies want to build powerplants, why would our Government want to stop it?  Insanity~
 

Gov Huckabee participates in "Health Care Tele-Townhall with Americans for Prosperity"...

Governor Huckabee will be part of the tele-Townhall, details below
 
George
 
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 20, 2010 11:45 PM
Subject: Fwd: Chris Maiorana invited you to the event "Health Care Tele-Townhall with Americans for Prosperity"...


 "Health Care Tele-Townhall with Americans for Prosperity" tomorrow.

Event: Health Care Tele-Townhall with Americans for Prosperity
Start Time: Tomorrow, January 21 at 7:30pm
End Time: Tomorrow, January 21 at 10:30pm
Where: 7:30pm EST   (888) 886-6603, Participant PIN# 13940#




The people are masters of both Congress and the Courts, not to overthrow the 
Constitution, but to CHALLENGE the men who pervert it.
Abraham Lincoln



Governor Huckabee will be part of the tele-Townhall, details below

www.sdforeclosureinsider.com