Wednesday, March 23, 2005

Good News, Bad News for Free Speech

Many bloggers will like this rule being considered by the Federal Election Commission (via The Volokh Conspiracy):
No expenditure results where an individual, acting independently or as a volunteer, without receiving compensation, performs Internet activities using computer equipment and services that he or she personally owns for the purpose of influencing any Federal election, whether or not the individual’s activities are known to or coordinated with any candidate, authorized committee or party committee.
That's the "good" news. The bad news it that such a rule might be required in the first place. Whatever happened to this quaint concept:
Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech.... [Amendment I, Constitution of the United States of America]
If it was good enough for little Jemmy Madison, it should be good enough for the intellectual pipsqueaks who now prowl the corridors of Congress.