Arbo
09-08-2013, 10:42 AM
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424127887324009304579040671355619380.html?m od=WSJ_article_comments#articleTabs%3Darticle
In the winter of 2008, Ed Corsi decided that he was tired of stewing about the politics in his home of Geauga County, Ohio, and the country at large. He started a website, put Thomas Jefferson's quote, "The price of freedom . . . constant vigilance" at the top, dubbed the site "Geauga Constitutional Council," and set about blogging his thoughts on local and national politics. So began his life of political crime.
Over the next two years, Mr. Corsi and a few friends would sometimes gather to talk politics. He occasionally sponsored meetings featuring speakers (not political candidates) on public policy issues (not elections), and charged a nominal fee for seating to offset his costs. He and two friends passed out political pamphlets they made at the Geauga County Fair.
Mr. Corsi spent $40 a month to maintain his website, and perhaps a couple hundred dollars a year in other expenses. According to the state of Ohio, however, these activities are illegal under campaign-finance laws because Mr. Corsi did not first register with the state, report to the state on his activities, and subject himself to the regulations governing the operation of a state political action committee.
It is utter craziness that in order for average citizens to speak there mind (about political issues), they must report to 'government', that one must 'register' themselves. Of course, the point of all such laws and regulations, is keeping the 'big two' parties in power, allowing them to run out any thread to their status quo. The article continues with a very relevant point:
It is inconceivable, however, that America's founders thought the First Amendment would allow the government to routinely require citizens to report their political activity, and be subjected to such complex regulations. They wanted to prevent government from doing precisely this sort of thing. Yet Mr. Corsi lost in state court. Now he waits to see if the Supreme Court will agree to hear his case.
In a nation that is failing due to the apathy of it's citizens, it is next to impossible to promote civic knowledge and participation when those in charge have set up a system to discourage it. 'Keep them dumb and watching reality tv' should be government's motto.
In the winter of 2008, Ed Corsi decided that he was tired of stewing about the politics in his home of Geauga County, Ohio, and the country at large. He started a website, put Thomas Jefferson's quote, "The price of freedom . . . constant vigilance" at the top, dubbed the site "Geauga Constitutional Council," and set about blogging his thoughts on local and national politics. So began his life of political crime.
Over the next two years, Mr. Corsi and a few friends would sometimes gather to talk politics. He occasionally sponsored meetings featuring speakers (not political candidates) on public policy issues (not elections), and charged a nominal fee for seating to offset his costs. He and two friends passed out political pamphlets they made at the Geauga County Fair.
Mr. Corsi spent $40 a month to maintain his website, and perhaps a couple hundred dollars a year in other expenses. According to the state of Ohio, however, these activities are illegal under campaign-finance laws because Mr. Corsi did not first register with the state, report to the state on his activities, and subject himself to the regulations governing the operation of a state political action committee.
It is utter craziness that in order for average citizens to speak there mind (about political issues), they must report to 'government', that one must 'register' themselves. Of course, the point of all such laws and regulations, is keeping the 'big two' parties in power, allowing them to run out any thread to their status quo. The article continues with a very relevant point:
It is inconceivable, however, that America's founders thought the First Amendment would allow the government to routinely require citizens to report their political activity, and be subjected to such complex regulations. They wanted to prevent government from doing precisely this sort of thing. Yet Mr. Corsi lost in state court. Now he waits to see if the Supreme Court will agree to hear his case.
In a nation that is failing due to the apathy of it's citizens, it is next to impossible to promote civic knowledge and participation when those in charge have set up a system to discourage it. 'Keep them dumb and watching reality tv' should be government's motto.