Why Don't Repubs Support Campaign Finance Reform?

[Matt J]

I'm usually no huge fan of Harry Reid, but have felt for a long time that a Constitutional Amendment is the only solution for campaign finance reform. I'm a bit astounded that Reid was bold enough to propose just that yesterday. The only arguments I'm hearing from the right is that it's "freedom of speech" to buy a congressman. I find that argument to be weak. Our legal system has long found it to be reasonable that you can't bribe public officials. Repubs fighting this purely because they feel like they get a bigger piece of the pie?

[televisionary]

This is pretty much a rhetorical question, right?

[freeheelwilly]

Please tell me who has ever said that "it's freedom of speech to buy a congressman". You're such an un-nuanced little simpleton. "Hey look everybody! Through deceit and mischaracterization, I've packaged a complicated question inside a simple box. Then I posted it a left wing echo chamber where everybody thinks about these things in exactly the same way I do. How clever am I?"

[Matt J]

Please tell me who has ever said that "it's freedom of speech to buy a congressman".

Ted Cruz said it yesterday big guy.

He opposes the idea of an amendment to the Constitution to control campaign contributions by saying, "when did Democrats abandon the Bill of Rights?" He goes on to clarify that giving money to your favorite congressperson's campaign is free speech and should be protected under the first amendment.

Are you arguing that our political process isn't being affected by campaign contributions?

As the voice of opposition in this "echo chamber" I was expected you to give me all the nuances. But, alas, all you have is insults and no real ideas. Again. Maybe you echo that "original thought" insult because you are the one that lacks any creativity or sophistication.

Crack addicts justify why they need more crack. Ted Cruz explains why reforming campaign finance would be un-American. Liberals take just about as much money as Conservatives, but at least they know it's wrong and are offering to change. Let's not forget what made the McCain-Feingold Act unusual was that it had bipartisan authorship.

[LightRanger]

You're such an un-nuanced little simpleton.

And you're a predictable hack.

Money in politics benefits nobody except those with it. The Founders never intended (if you're wedded to originalism) for billionaires to be able to buy elections.

[freeheelwilly]

Ted Cruz said it yesterday big guy.

He opposes the idea of an amendment to the Constitution to control campaign contributions by saying, "when did Democrats abandon the Bill of Rights?" He goes on to clarify that giving money to your favorite congressperson's campaign is free speech and should be protected under the first amendment.

A lot of people believe along those lines; that's not a big deal. Are you suggesting that there are no first amendment issues involved in political contributions?

Just give me the quote where Ted Cruz or anyone else said that's it's "freedom of speech to buy a congressman".

[freeheelwilly]

Liberals take just about as much money as Conservatives, but at least they know it's wrong and are offering to change.

You really believe that Liberals are morally superior to Conservatives, don't you? It's like talking to children in here.

[freeheelwilly]

And you're a predictable hack.

Money in politics benefits nobody except those with it. The Founders never intended (if you're wedded to originalism) for billionaires to be able to buy elections.

Eloquence in politics also benefits nobody except those with it. Same can be said for ruthlessly savvy political advisors, good looks, beneficial familial connections and a host of other attributes that have nothing to do with the quality of the candidate or the validity of his message. Besides, we're learning that money doesn't seem to have the affect on voter behavior that many assumed. And if the "Founders" ever spoke to this issue I don't recall it but it's been a while since I read [I]The Federalist Papers[I]. And I'm not "wed to originalism" anyway - whatever that means.

[teltales96]

^^^^ Combine all of those wonderful qualities and more in a pres. candidate who's broke
vs another with the same qualities but who's flush with the $$$$
Guess who wins boy genius ??? Who's your bet on, smart guy ? What's
the operative quality ?

[RobRoyMeans]

Eloquence in politics also benefits nobody except those with it...

So Alaska should never have been bought? I ask because it was just an idea, then it reached the "bully pulpit" most people misunderstand. The National Parks, et al, came about because of some very eloquent calls to the public and legislature. Then again we have also "Remember the Maine" and "Mission Accomplished" to be ashamed of, so you ain't exactly wrong.

[freeheelwilly]

So Alaska should never have been bought? I ask because it was just an idea, then it reached the "bully pulpit" most people misunderstand. The National Parks, et al, came about because of some very eloquent calls to the public and legislature. Then again we have also "Remember the Maine" and "Mission Accomplished" to be ashamed of, so you ain't exactly wrong.

So if I come up with some examples of where lots of money resulted in a policy that, at least in retrospect, you find favorable (and you know I could) does that likewise disprove the statement that "money in politics benefits nobody except those with it"? C'mon Rob. I know you like soaring oratory - it scratches you right where you itch and you've spent most of your on-line hours trying to imitate it (with decididly mixed results) - but my observation remains valid.


It's fun to see riptard running around pooping his pants again. There's something hilarious about his mental illness. It's creepy but fun.

[Teleman]

Ron is doing just fine...thank you!...Who is the government to tell anybody what to do with their money....A constitutional convention with the dips who run this country would result in a diminished first Amendment....Argue with that and you Karl and Frederick have tons in common. Me I won't give any stinkin politico nothing!!!! Teleman

[freeheelwilly]

Gramps, I'm a huge fan of riptard. Hope he's allowed to stay a while this time. There's some kind of diagnose-able condition there that's just really funny to watch from afar. Do you think he was ridiculed and mocked as a schoolboy? God I hope so. BTW, you really suck too; You don't know how to ski and you can't string together two coherent thoughts. You're just some stinky old drunk from Vermont; if you were 50 years younger you'd be meth-head or a heroin addict. God Vermont sucks. When the alternative to the little bearded douchebags running around Burlington are a bunch of creepy old dumpster divers living under a tarp in the NEK you have a really "special" place. Are there any regular folks that live in Vermont?

[Teleman]

No! Teleman

[freeheelwilly]

Vermont should just secede; nobody'd complain. Hell, it'd probably be a couple years before anyone even noticed.