New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy “conditionally” vetoed a bipartisan “dark money” disclosure bill that would have forced
political advocacy groups to publicize their donors. In GOVERNOR’S
VETO OF THE ‘DARK MONEY’ BILL IS WRONG FOR NEW JERSEY, NJ Spotlight’s David Goodman railed against the veto,
criticizing “the governor’s misunderstanding of transparency in combating dark
money’s corruption of politics and elections.” Goodman continued:
So, where do we go from here? In the past two years, almost $100
million in untraceable dark money has flowed into New Jersey elections. Special
interests can manipulate elections by shuttling their money through nonprofits,
corporations, and other outside groups. These groups, under the current law, do
not have to disclose their donors, meaning that those special interests
function in secret. Without S-1500, New Jersey voters cannot know who is trying
to buy their vote.
Goodman and his ilk never explain, or offer
proof of, how “untraceable dark money” corrupts politics, or manipulates
elections, or buys votes.
“Untraceable dark money”,
“manipulate elections”, “buy their vote”, “transparency” are hollow
catchphrases meant to equate free speech to some sinister underworld. But what
we’re talking about is private citizens merely seeking to express themselves in
the political process—to “influence”—that is persuade—people to vote a certain
way. And whether expenditures are done cooperatively, through PACs or advocacy
groups, or individually, anonymity is an inalienable right. It’s especially
important to dissenters or unpopular viewpoints, which could bring social,
political, or economic persecution. There are many people, including
politicians, who love demonizing people for their viewpoints. A person who
doesn’t want to risk such attacks shouldn't have to shut up.
And that’s the real
“corruption of politics and elections”--the politicians desire to escape the
“corruption” of public criticism and scrutiny. “Dark money” bans are designed
to mute and silence--particularly focussed on people who have the financial
means of reaching a mass audience. When politicians silence “big money,” they
silence us all.
A government should be
accountable to the people it governs. Private citizens who have done nothing
wrong should not be accountable to the politicians. The right to freedom of
political expression and activism does not and should not come at the price of
a person’s privacy, safety, or comfort. Money is the means of expressing one’s
thoughts, and is thus inextricably linked to freedom of speech. Citizens’ political/issue
expenditures are none of the neighbors’ or politicians’ business. Murphy’s veto
should be unconditional.
Related Reading:
The
Intimidation Game: How the Left Is Silencing Free Speech--by Kimberley Strassel, especially Chapter 2,
“Publius & Co.”
No comments:
Post a Comment