The American Spectator : The Spectacle Blog : A Good Thing

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Having exhausted all other possible non-substantive issues in the current campaigns, the Democrats and the main street media are now hyperventilating over anonymous political expenditures by "outside" groups.

Unconcerned that three of the top five such spenders are labor unions, they focus on the (totally legal) lack of disclosure of donors to such groups as the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and American Crossroads. But shouldn't the fact that non-campaign coordinated spending is anonymous be looked upon as a good thing?

The basis for all campaign-finance law is the concern over the corruption or the appearance of the corruption of elected officials. How can they be corrupted if they don't know who is making these independent expenditures?

View all comments (6) | Leave a comment

Booger| 10.25.10 @ 6:03AM

Dear Senator Thompson,

Teach Democrats that corruption is a bad thing? May as well try to teach a pig to dance.

Cordially,

Booger

Occam's Tool| 10.25.10 @ 10:55AM

Pigs are intelligent creatures, and their circulatory system is close enough to Man's to make for useful research animals. Booger, you've gone to far. How dare you compare Democrats to such noble animals! :)

Occam's Tool| 10.25.10 @ 10:57AM

Sorry, Booger. "Too far." OOPS. (By the way, your letters should be published after the elections.)

Tim*| 10.25.10 @ 6:14AM

These Midterm Election are about Jobs, The Economy , Taxes & The Obama Health Scam.

The Liberal Ruling Class Elitists &Their; Liberal Mainstream Media are tryin' to Run Away from Those Voter Motivating Issues.

The Tea Party Rebellion Escalates.

Rise Up In Rebellion !

Michael L. Hauschild| 10.25.10 @ 8:39AM

“How can they be corrupted if they don't know who is making these independent expenditures?”
I like Fred, even sent him some money once or twice but the above statement is for all practical purposes simply the dumbest thing I have seen in print this election cycle. The elected official will know who these contributors are when they show up and want something. If they do not get what they want the “anonymous” donation will be withheld or given to another candidate next time.
The only reason the “independent expenditure” sources are hidden is so the opposition cannot use them in political ads. McCain/Feingold was wrong and I certainly was for its repeal but I tire of the recycled McCain’s, Romney’s, Huckibee’s, using their status (they think losing provides wisdom) and riding the populous movement to remain in the spotlight.

Chuck| 10.25.10 @ 9:06AM

Bill Clinton is the most corrupt politician of this generation yet the author of this article voted not guilty on one count of impeachment when the author said he was guilty. The author sounds massively political, hypocritical and corrupt himself letting Bill get away with it