Yes, we understand Eisen's "Justification" for the policy. But both
Tapscott and Morrisey believe that if the federal government restricts
political expression in one specialized area, other areas are soon to
follow:
A new White House policy on permissible lobbying on economic recovery
and stimulus projects has taken a decidedly anti-First Amendment turn.
It's a classic illustration of Big Government trying to control every
aspect of a particular activity and in the process running up against
civil liberty....
...The key passage is the reference to expanding regulation from
registered lobbyists to "anyone else exerting influence on the
process. We concluded this was necessary under the unique
circumstances of the stimulus program." This is the Camel's nose
under the tent, being poked because of special circumstances. Let
government restrict political expression - i.e. lobbying of government
officials regarding policy - in one small, supposedly specialized area
and not long after the specialized area starts expanding. Eventually,
all political expression regarding all policy will become subject to
government regulation.
- Mark Tapscott, Washington Examiner
The restrictions are also ambiguous enough that a lobbyist or other
petitioner won’t be sure how to fully comply. So if someone runs afoul
of White House officials, a phone call to a news outlet or a friendly
prosecutor can punish the offender. Ambiguous rules plus capricious
application equals negative rule of law.
-- Carter Wood
Jarrad
On Jun 1, 2009, at 1:44 PM, Joel Brauer wrote:
> OMG, Did you actually read it? This is FUD, pure and simple. It
> is NOT saying they are going to silence criticism. It IS saying
> that oral communication by those involved in the bidding process
> will be regulated so that deals are not cut under the table. Wow,
> Hotair has just gone on my conspiracy theory alert list of sites.
> That is a HUGE stretch and misleading article that if you don't read
> closely and just wear your blinders to follow allong with whatever
> the GOP henchment want you to believe today you could easily fall for.
>
> Joel Brauer
>
> Only you can decide to be happy! The rest of life is in the
> details...
>
>
> On Mon, Jun 1, 2009 at 5:58 AM, Jarrad Reiner <[email protected]>
> wrote:
>
> http://hotair.com/archives/2009/05/30/white-house-well-cut-off-criticism-of-porkulus/
>
> Jarrad
>
>
>
>
> >
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