David M. Bresnahan -- Trent Lott Attacks Free Speech

TRENT LOTT ATTACKS FREE SPEECH

David M. Bresnahan
April 7, 2006
NewsWithViews.com

Sen. Tent Lott, R - Mississippi, sponsored S. 2349 and through political arm-twisting somehow got enough senators to vote for this misguided effort to reform lobbying.

The legislation has been sent to the House where it is in danger of passing.

In it’s current form, S. 2349 forces non-profit groups to file quarterly reports to detail their efforts to influence citizens on any issue. It requires a report of any “paid” efforts to communicate with 500 or more citizens.

They must report such things as creating and placing newspaper and other media ads, publishing newsletters, congressional report cards or other direct mail pieces, interactive web sites, books, magazines, TV, radio, videos, podcasts, sending letters, and more.

This is not a minor task. The cost in time and money to comply with such reporting is beyond the means of most non-profit groups.

I have some questions for Sen. Lott:

1. How will S. 2349 prevent lobbyists from offering bribes to elected officials and government workers?

2. How will S. 2349 prevent elected officials from being influenced by and controlled by lobbyists?

3. What is wrong with getting citizens involved in the political process? Are you afraid of them?

4. I thought that Republicans want less government, but your bill will require new government workers who will deal with the mountains of paperwork that will be filed. How do you justify making government larger?

5. Where will the money come from to pay for this?

6. Who will enforce this?

7. Will you need to build additional prisons to house all the people you arrest for failing to report?

This legislation does nothing to stop corruption. It places a burden on non-profit groups, and it adds to the size of government. More importantly, it controls and restricts free speech. The House of Representatives needs to step forward and kill this bill. There are some who are calling for the bill to be revised, but a bad bill is a bad bill. Kill it.

Every voter should demand that Congress kill S. 2349 and come up with real lobby reform. Pick up the phone and call your member of Congress today.

David M. Bresnahan is an independent journalist with over 30 years of experience as a reporter, author, columnist, and broadcaster. He writes both news articles and commentaries without pay or compensation. He finances his writing through www.FreedomPhoneServices.com, which offers low-cost communications services and a free business opportunity. If you need phone services, Internet access, web site hosting, VoIP, cell phones, or any other communications services please visit his site. If you are interested in a part-time opportunity offering these services to others please contact him.