Awesome quote!

[Playinghardball]

[guillaumeb]

1. if I give a campaign contribution

to a politician it is free speech. But if I place a $50 dollar bill on the dash while talking to a Policeman that is a bribe. Can anyone explain to me the difference between the 2 situations?

[immoderate]

2. The fundamental fallacy is equating "speech" with "contribution."

They are different things.

--imm

[Fred Sanders]

3. One assists with the democratic process, the other with a criminal process.

The parrallel is drawn when no one ever knows about either.

[guillaumeb]

5. finely put

I wish I had worded my response with that in it. Given the flood of hidden money that now controls American politics, money will surely drown out democracy if nothing is done about Citizens United v. FEC

[kairos12]

4. Yes. You will go to jail. The Pol will get reelected.

Welcome to DU.

[guillaumeb]

6. thanks for the welcome and the response. DU is a great site for political junkies.

[imthevicar]

9. To the Prol,

It's a bribe. to the elite money Talks!

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

12. Make it a Cleveland (as opposed to half a Benjamin) and I'll bet the cop will see it as

free speech (though, probably some will do that for the $50 as well, especially if you're not a minority.)

[A Simple Game]

7. Couldn't be more wrong.

A campaign contribution, at least a large one, isn't a gateway drug to a bribe.

A large campaign contribution is a bribe, no gateway needed.

[Orrex]

8. ^^That

Despite the oft-repeated sentiment here on DU that such expenditures are protected free speech, they are clearly bribes both in fact and in principle.

[guillaumeb]

10. a deceptive tag

and a great comment.

[A Simple Game]

11. Got you to read it though didn't I? n/t