What first amendment?

Many Americans may not have noticed but on Thursday, September 7, a law with vast ramifications took effect – the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act.

On this day, our constitutionally protected right to free speech became as worthless as the paper it is printed on. With less than 60 days before the election, it is now a crime for Americans to say the name of a candidate running for federal office in any television or radio commercial. This means that you - alone or in conjunction with a group of like-minded people - are prohibited from promoting or criticizing candidates running for the House of Representatives, Senate or Presidency.

In this “Land of the Free”, you cannot use television or radio to broadcast your opinions of the people who want to run your life. You are forbidden from pointing out that Rep. Joe Knollenberg is an irresponsible spend-thrift and his opponent Nancy Skinner is a shill for the labor unions. Also, you will be a lawbreaker if you broadcast that Sen. Debbie Stabenow is incompetent and her opponent Michael Bouchard is a pandering career politician.

Fortunately, our government still allows us to point out the truth in a letter to the editor. For now.

[Letter to the Editor - Farmington Observer. Published 09/14/2006.]