NTF Alert: cong11.doc.  3-05.

NEBRASKA TAXPAYERS FOR FREEDOM ALERT!

MCCAIN-FEINGOLD WOULD MUZZLE CONSERVATIVE WEB SITES & BLOGS.

The restrictive McCain-Feingold election campaign legislation that already muzzles fiscally-conservative federal campaigning now will strangle web sites and blogs that support, not endorse, candidates.  The Federal Election Commission stands poised to regard voting records, email bulletins, or supportive text on web sites like ours as in-kind political contributions.  Writing anything about a candidate or linking to his/her web site would count.

A federal judge ruled in 2004 that the FEC must re-address Internet political activity.  The 3 Republican FEC members voted to appeal this judicial edict, but 3 Democrat members voted NO, so the appeal died.

If the FEC targets the Internet, web sites that produce over $1,000 in donations or services of equal value must submit a public report to the FEC.  It would quash web site activity, dampen political involvement, and muzzle free speech.  NTF and other web sites would have to register with the FEC and report receipts and disbursements, then attach disclaimers to our sites. The FEC bureaucracy could levy onerous fines on organizations and individuals for violations, though web sites could not know how many dollars or services funneled to a candidate(s) because of publicity on the sites.

Internet web sites like ours at www.netaxpayers.org have persuaded and mobilized millions to become involved in politics.  Stifling us will hamper federal campaigns of fiscally-conservative candidates and incumbents. 

The FEC will make its decision in late March, 2005.  Liberals await this decision with glee.  They plan to target conservative radio talk show hosts next. Protect our 1^st Amendment rights to free speech and political expression.  Contact your two Nebraska senators today to exempt Internet web sites and blogs from McCain-Feingold.

Senator Chuck Hagel, email

Senator Ben Nelson, email