>There are non-trivial First Amendment problems with this proposal, not the >least of which is defining what an interest group is. Should someone who >takes support from, say Progressive Minnesota, be banned from voting on the >whole range of public issues that PM has taken a position on? David Brauer
But interest groups... such as PM or any other... could quickly become a mere funnel for huge financial interests... including individuals and businesses... and have the same effect as direct donation of money to political leaders. Take, for example, FREEDOM CLUB FEDERAL PAC which poured $45,000 directly into Minnesota Republican hands in 2001/2002 election cycle... $0 to Dems or Greens or Inds... and was funded almost exclusively by big money Minnesota CEOs and company VPs. Is the answer not recusal from votes but cessation of independent campaign funds? Not an original idea but how else to clean up even the appearance of influence? And isn't the ruling that "money" is "speech" problematic for democracy by, of, and for the people? Wendy Wilde So Minneapolis REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
