First Amendment Assaults still an issue...

In the past two years (actually, ever since McCain-Feingold), there have been a number of congressional movements to stifle the free political speech of ordinary United States citizens in stark violation of the First Amendment, which was penned primarily as a means of protecting political speech.

Now comes another nefarious attempt to stifle speech among the grass-roots citizenry (from Grassrootsfreedom.com)

...Meehan Grassroots Bill, HR 2093, Relies on Deceit, Concealment to Violate Constitution, Says GrassrootsFreedom.com

Manassas, VA. The following is a statement by GrassrootsFreedom.com and Mark Fitzgibbons regarding grassroots legislation, H.R. 2093 introduced May 1 by Congressman Marty Meehan, and expected to be debated in the House May 15:

“Now that we’ve finally seen Congressman Meehan’s grassroots bill, H.R. 2093, we know that its proponents were selling the public and Congress a bill of goods.

They said: The bill would close a ‘Jack Abramoff loophole.’

Fact: Neither Jack Abramoff nor the kick-backs to him under the ‘Gimme-Five’ scandal would have been disclosed under H.R. 2093.

They said: The bill is targeted at so-called ‘Astroturf’ lobbying.

Fact: The legislation doesn’t target, and never even attempts to define, ‘Astroturf.’ Instead, it regulates genuine citizen-supported policy communications.

They said: The bill would disclose those who finance grassroots lobbying.

Fact: Corporations, labor unions, billionaires such as George Soros, even foreign governments will be able to finance grassroots communications through front groups and ‘straw-man’ entities, yet the real financiers would not be disclosed.

“Under the Meehan bill, private, citizen supported communications and efforts by non-lobbyists that somehow ‘influence’ the public, however remote from Washington citizens may be, to contact even just one government official would constitute ‘lobbying activity’ subject to quarterly lobbying registration with Congress. The U.S. Supreme Court has already said that is not ‘lobbying activity,’ and is fully protected by the First Amendment.

“H.R. 2093 is mischievously vague about key terms such as ‘influence the public,’ which will act to censor political criticism. Washington bureaucrats will decide which speech is still ‘free.’ Lawyers and lobbyists will make more money than ever as a result.

“Roll Call reported on May 2 in response to complaints that the legislative language was being withheld from outspoken opponents that Congressman Meehan’s office denied language of the bill existed before the week of April 23.

“Now that H.R. 2093 is public, facts prove otherwise. Six insider lobbying groups signed and published a March 7 letter to Congress with a detailed description of H.R. 2093, including actual text and terms that are in H.R. 2093. The insider lobbyists include Meehan’s own lawyers. GrassrootsFreedom.com has more details.

“Now we know for sure they weren’t telling the truth and why.”

Playing fast and loose with our First Amendment Rights to free political speech, IMO, is by definition in direct violation of our elected officials' oath of office, in which they swore to "protect and defend the Constitution of the United States;" and should be grounds for removal from office!

I don't care what your political stripe is; attempts such as this to undermine the very essence of our system of government is an abomination, and all should be up in arms!

Contact your congresscritters and tell them that HR 2093 and similar bills will not be tolerated!