At a time when campaign finance reform is widely viewed as
synonymous with cleaning up Washington and promoting political
equality, Bradley Smith, a nationally recognized expert on campaign
finance reform, argues that all restriction on campaign giving
should be eliminated. In "Unfree Speech," he presents a bold,
convincing argument for the repeal of laws that regulate political
spending and contributions, contending that they violate the right
to free speech and ultimately diminish citizens' power.
Smith demonstrates that these laws, which often force ordinary
people making modest contributions of cash or labor to register
with the Federal Election Commission or various state agencies,
fail to accomplish their stated objectives. In fact, they have
worked to entrench incumbents in office, deaden campaign discourse,
burden grassroots political activity with needless regulation, and
distance Americans from an increasingly professional, detached
political class. Rather than attempting to plug "loopholes" in
campaign finance law or instituting taxpayer-financed campaigns,
Smith proposes a return to core First Amendment values of free
speech and an unfettered right to engage in political activity.
Smith finds that campaign contributions have little corrupting
effect on the legislature and shows that an unrestrained system of
contributions and spending actually enhances equality. More money,
not less, is needed in the political system, Smith concludes.
"Unfree Speech" draws upon constitutional law and historical
research to explain why campaign finance regulation is doomed and
to illustrate the potentially drastic costs of efforts to make it
succeed. Whatever one thinks about the impact of money on electoral
politics, no one should take a final stand without reading Smith's
controversial and important arguments.
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