Has the Supreme Court Trashed Individual Speech?

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Has the Supreme Court "inadvertently" constricted the free speech rights of individuals with their recent decision to let loose unfettered corporate campaign contributions?  Using their logic, I feel that they have put a limit on the free speech of individuals, while granting a megaphone to "non-person" corporate interests.

"We find no basis for the proposition that, in the context of political speech, the government may impose restrictions on certain disfavored speakers," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority. "The court has recognized that First Amendment protection extends to corporations."  (I believe that some important limits do remain intact: Corporations still cannot give money directly to federal candidates or national party committees. But I could be mistaken.)

House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio called the decision "a big win for the First Amendment" as long as donors disclose every dollar they spend on campaigns. "Let the American people decide how much money is enough," he said.

Then why does 11CFR110.1 say that First Amendment protection does not extend to individuals?  I am only allowed to speak $10,000 worth this year (State, District, and Local Party Committee combined limit).

I demand that Bill Gates, as an individual, have the same “free speech” rights as a corporation.  It is only fair.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122805666

http://www.fec.gov/info/contriblimits0910.pdf

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cloud9driver Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New User Joined: 25/January/2010 Location: San Diego Posts: 1	Quote Reply Topic: Has the Supreme Court Trashed Individual Speech? Posted: 25/January/2010 at 1:49am
	Has the Supreme Court "inadvertently" constricted the free speech rights of individuals with their recent decision to let loose unfettered corporate campaign contributions? Using their logic, I feel that they have put a limit on the free speech of individuals, while granting a megaphone to "non-person" corporate interests. "We find no basis for the proposition that, in the context of political speech, the government may impose restrictions on certain disfavored speakers," Justice Anthony Kennedy wrote for the majority. "The court has recognized that First Amendment protection extends to corporations." (I believe that some important limits do remain intact: Corporations still cannot give money directly to federal candidates or national party committees. But I could be mistaken.) House Republican Leader John Boehner of Ohio called the decision "a big win for the First Amendment" as long as donors disclose every dollar they spend on campaigns. "Let the American people decide how much money is enough," he said. Then why does 11CFR110.1 say that First Amendment protection does not extend to individuals? I am only allowed to speak $10,000 worth this year (State, District, and Local Party Committee combined limit). I demand that Bill Gates, as an individual, have the same “free speech” rights as a corporation. It is only fair. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=122805666 http://www.fec.gov/info/contriblimits0910.pdf

freddymaskic Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List New User Joined: 01/May/2010 Posts: 18	Quote Reply Posted: 17/May/2010 at 5:51pm
	I don't think that anyone nor the Supreme Court has the right to trash or disallow the freedom of speech of any individual for that matter without violating any laws at all. After all, what is the essence of democracy if even the freedom of speech is prohibited. Edited by freddymaskic - 17/May/2010 at 6:21pm
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