By Luke WachobPrior to super PACs and the Citizens United decision, individuals could already spend unlimited amounts trying to influence your vote. How do everyday citizens respond? By working together and pooling their resources. In other words, by joining political parties, or forming and supporting political action committees.Without these organizations, politicians need only answer to media moguls, celebrities and the personally wealthy. McNerney would no doubt claim that he is against money in politics, not against freedom of speech, but he tips his hand. His complaints about “unflattering images of candidates,” “personal attacks” and ads that say “little or nothing about relevant policy issues” are not about money. They are about speech.Unfortunately for incumbent politicians, the First Amendment is quite clear that “Congress shall make no law … abridging the freedom of speech.” Politicians can’t admit their goal is to stop you from criticizing them; that would be unconstitutional and unpopular. Instead, they attack the ability to fund such criticism.It’s time to stop assuming that politicians speak as benevolent experts on campaign finance. Some are ignorant of the law, while others use their expertise to undermine political opponents. Letting Congress add more red tape to the political process will not end corruption, it will only further estrange citizens from their elected representatives.
