FEC COLLECTS $630,000 IN CIVIL PENALTIES FROM THREE 527 ORGANIZATIONS:

Good. I like the idea of these groups, but don't like the abuses.

Here's the scorecard:

* League of Conservation Voters 527 and 527II -- $180,000
* MoveOn.org Voter Fund -- $ 150,000
* Swiftboat Veterans and POWs for Truth -- $ 299,500

The announcement also includes the following:

Hopefully, we won't see organizations like these get carried away during the '08 presidential campaign.

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Curly

The people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is to tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to danger. It works the same in every country.

- Hermann Goering

Personally, I think the groups should be outlawed....All groups that is.
Just my opinion.

It is good news that they are being caught though.

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Anyone who thinks freedom comes cheap, please put the blindfold on and stand against the wall.

Many times I believe Americans will have to take back the country and start a new government.

MoveOn.org was very busy this past election organizing phone banks to call voters in other states and tell them how to vote.

The "reform" brought to us by McCain-Feingold was worse that the original situation, IMHO.

Matt

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Curly, how did you miss the $300,000 fine against the Swift Boat group for their 2004 election propaganda?

It was the third line in his list. $299,500 fine for the Swift Boat Veterans...

Matt

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Absolutly right. And its also a blow to the right to free speech. McCain is a jerk...

Kramer

The FEC has been an arm of the Republican Party for the past 8 years.
They were busy writing exemptions to McCain-Feingold before it even passed.

Why expect them to be fair??

Whether it's a tool for the right or just for politicians in general, the FEC is an open door to abuse of power and should be gutted, if not eliminated outright. The easiest and simplest way to get the corruption out of politics is to just get the money out of the politicians' hands.

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Today's forecast: Government corruption.

Tomorrow's forecast: 100% chance of more 'politics as usual'

Maybe it's finally time to vote Libertarian

Agreed.

And the easiest way to do that is by public financing of elections.

Maybe on Your planet, but here on Earth, if the problem is the foxes guarding the henhouse, giving the foxes sole power over who can even apply for guard job is Not the solution!

The two ruling parties already make it nearly impossible for any true reformers to get on the ballot or elected without letting them also make it more difficult (or impossible) for any outsiders to afford to run for office. If you had fair and honest people controlling the 'public election funds', your idea would be a great one, but reform is needed so badly precisely because they're Not fair and honest people!

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Today's forecast: Government corruption.

Tomorrow's forecast: 100% chance of more 'politics as usual'

Maybe it's finally time to vote Libertarian