Monday, October 8, 2007

The unforgiving minute

Continuing with my thesis that money is not speech, it's commerce: This gem is buried in a larger Salon.com article about the chaotic and unrepresentative process that is our political primary system:
This election cycle, a top Democratic candidate shaking someone's hand in Miami before the end of January is breaking the rules, unless that someone is handing the candidate a check at the same time. To put it another way, Democrats' communicating with voters has been barred in Florida, but taking money from voters is OK. To put it a third way, the system is not only irrational but offensive to the nation's most basic values. "The only way that you can hear a candidate campaign is if you are willing to pay a campaign contribution," explains Steven Geller, Florida's exasperated state Senate Democratic leader. "It is astounding."

(Emphasis added.)

Say it with me: Money pays for speech, and money buys access. Money isn't speech.

Minute's up.

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