I tend to agree, but, do we really know, yet, how effective it’s going to be?
They protested the Vietnam War, and they protested it, and they made it the most divisive national issue since civil rights, and they protested it some more, and it ended when the Administration was damned good and ready. But protesting worked WRT civil rights. You never know. OWS’ concerns go to the heart of our socioeconomic system, and that’s a lot to tackle through protest.
Jefferson would not agree that the rich should have control over the message. By being able to put out almost all the messages, because they are expensive, it puts power in the hands of the rich. Money = power. Money is not just a commodity. It confers power on a select group of people. The forefathers would certainly not agree that the rich should have that power.
Well, some of them would have, but not Jefferson.
Again, I go and put up a billboard “Obama sucks.” a month before the elections. It costs me $500. Do tell me how you can twist the Constitution into not allowing me to do that.
Frustrating, isn’t it? I’ve watched that awe-inspiring rant be pretty much ignored for over 2 years. It’s still just as potent today as it was back then.
Well if we capped ALL candidates’ campaign spending at $5 million, if you spent your $5 million and then went on to put up the $500 billboard because, hey , free speech, then I would say you are being unfair to the other candidates who stay within their caps. MONEY IS NOT SPEECH!!!
This isn’t just about candidate’s spending. I, as a private individual, have the right to voice my opinion. If that opinion happens to be unfavorable to a political candidate or party, it’s still protected speech.
This is not “money”. This is a billboard. SAYING stuff. If that is not speech, I don’t know what is.
Hell, you know what? I OWN the billboard company. So I put up billboards, all over town, that say “Obama sucks”. Is this speech or not?
You have the right to buy a megaphone, too, but you’ll find time, place and manner of use will be lawfully, and constitutionally, restricted.
I do. It’s a fucking annoying eyesore to everyone who has to look at it, that’s what it is. No matter what it says. Even a huge white rectangle hanging there in the air would be nuisance. If I had my way, every billboard in America would come down.
IT IS MONEY!!! Each candidate gets $5 million to spend on speech of any type they wish. You just want to take the huge advantage that the wealthy have over the poor in the marketplace, and move it to the political arena. You want America to become a wealth-based oligarchy. You have no concept of democracy. None.
You misspelled “remain.” And it’s an important distinction to keep in mind when dealing with conservatives.
Of course. If you had your way, no speech would be allowed but the one you like.
Each candidate gets $5M. I am not a candidate. I own a few billboards. Instead of selling that space, I put up my own ads. They say “candidate M sucks!”. Is that “speech” or is that “money”?