Bill would force ad buyers into the light (Disclose Act)

[maddezmom]

Source: UPI

WASHINGTON, Sept. 22 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate will vote again on a campaign spending bill that would require those who pay for ads to identify themselves in the ads, officials said.

The bill is expected to face unanimous Republican opposition.

CNN said the bill, known as the Disclose Act, is in response to a 5-4 U.S. Supreme Court ruling this year in Citizens United vs. FEC that removed longtime restrictions on corporate and union political ad spending.

The Democratic proposal, scheduled for a vote Thursday, is designed to bring more transparency to campaign ad spending by corporations, unions and other independent groups, CNN said.

Republicans unanimously blocked a similar proposal last month. A top Senate GOP leadership aide said Wednesday he doesn't expect any Republican defections in the new vote, CNN said


Read more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/09/22/Bill-would-force-ad-buyers-into-the-light/UPI-63581285192369/

[HillbillyBob]

1. There is no reason that we shouldn't have Sunshine laws

that let the public see into every aspect of our government, after all if they weren't up to no good they should not have any objections. no? I mean they say that about looking at every email, bank transaction etc etc, If you are not doing anything wrong then you should not care. Right?

[No Elephants]

2. NAACP v. Button might pose a problem.

That case found a First Amendment right to "freedom of association" that allowed the NAACP to keep its membership lists secret.

Couple Button with Citizens United and this freakin' Court would not have to stretch at all to say that government forcing disclosure of donor lists re: political speech violates First Amendment rights.

Not saying it will. Just saying it would not be a stretch.

[RhodaA]

3. Worse than Hypocrites

I heard this morning that we don't have the one GOP vote needed to pass this - Zero. Maybe wrong. We'll see.

Here are some quotes from the past:

"Public disclosure of campaign contributions and spending should be expedited so voters can judge for themselves what is appropriate." – Sen. Mitch McConnell

“It is important that any future campaign finance laws include strong transparency provisions so the American public knows who is contributing to a candidate's campaign, as well as who is funding communications in support of or in opposition to a political candidate or issue." - Sen. Susan Collins

"I think the system needs more transparency, so people can more easily reach their own conclusions." - Sen. John Cornyn

“I don't like it when a large source of money is out there funding ads and is unaccountable ... To the extent we can, I tend to favor disclosure." – Sen. Jeff Sessions

Really eerie in the Senate yesterday was that at least 10 Dem senators (probably many more) came to floor to speak about this, but NOT ONE Repub - they were silent.

[SpiralHawk]

4. "NO NO NO NO NO NO." - RepubliCronies for Occultism

"We like to do it in the dark."

- RepubliCronies

[Captain Lee]

5. I would say be careful what you wish for

'cause it might come back.

Some controversy in Alabama regarding secret funding of attack ads against a GOP candidate for governor. I'm glad Bently won the nomination, as he and Sparks are close on a lot of issues, but don't assume it's just the GOP that wants to hide its doner lists.

http://www.whnt.com/news/sns-ap-al--aea-byrne,0,2339543.story

By Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) — Newly released records show the Alabama Education Association provided every dollar of the advertising campaign that targeted Bradley Byrne and helped defeat him in the Republican runoff for governor.

An organization called the Conservative Coalition for Alabama ran the ads in the July runoff that criticized Byrne's record. But it was secretive and the source of its funds wasn't known.

Now a financial report the organization filed with the Internal Revenue Service shows its only donor was AEA, which provided $750,000. The coalition reported spending slightly more $711,000.

AEA favored Robert Bentley, who won the Republican runoff July 13 with 56 percent of the vote against Byrne.

[avaistheone1]

6. All the same

I think we are all better off when we know precisely who is funding these various ads and campaigns. I am all for transparency and letting the sunshine in.

[Captain Lee]

7. Oh I agree

I would like to see CSPAN webcasts of every political office, meeting chamber, and administrative areas available 24/7. Lets see what our government is doing.

[avaistheone1]

8. That has been my wish for many years. I think it would clean up our government in

almost no time at all. It would be fun to watch the cockroaches scatter once the lights are turned on.

But shall we hold are breath waiting for that to happen? Even the Supreme Court will not allow cameras in for their proceedings.