There is, I think, a difference between limiting freedom of political speech and limiting the ability of those with money to dominate political speech. In fact, big money in politics limits political speech by very strongly encouraging politicians to listen only to the speech of those with big bucks, and shut out the speech of the average voter and taxpayer. When one person can buy access to an overnight in the Lincoln Room simply by shelling out $100,000, and thereby getting their political voice heard above others, that makes my right of political speech less valuable. So personally, I see campaign reform as going a small part of the way -- a very small part, it's true, but part way -- toward equalizing the rights of all to speak politically.
Nobody is trying to limit the right of Exxon, or AT&T, to speak politically.
But I have a right to speak politically, too.
All I want is for them to line up with me to have our voices heard, not have the right to jump to the head of the line because they have deeper pockets than I do. |
