Strangechord

Rowan points out that the attack on activist groups has been declared. The Federal Election Committee (FEC) is considering sweeping rule changes that would seriously affect the free speech of all non-profits. According to analysis by People for the American Way PFAW):

The proposed rules would transform overnight many nonprofit groups (including charities, civic organizations, religious groups, labor unions, and fraternal organizations) into federally regulated political committees - faced with draconian restrictions on how they raise and spend money - for merely expressing an opinion about a federal officeholder’s policies or views. The potential chilling effect on free speech cannot be overstated. Many nonprofits would be forced to choose between ceasing normal operations or facing crippling restrictions on fund raising.

This is scary stuff, folks. Apparently, these proposed changes to the speech of activist organizations are on the plate because the FEC is under pressure from a group called Americans for a Better Country. According to BushGreenwatch, Americans for a Better Country is a Republican political committee organized last year specifically to establish “an aggressive voter-mobilization and issue ad campaign to out-raise and out-spend … the liberal groups whose stated mission is the defeat of George Bush.”

Here’s what to do: Send a comment opposing the rule change to the FEC. Comments should be addressed to Ms. Mai T. Dinh, Acting Assistant General Counsel, and must include the full name, electronic mail address, and postal service address of the commenter. The comments period ends on April 9: politicalcommitteestatus@fec.gov. Here’s my short and sweet e-mail; feel free to copy and paste:

Attention: Ms. Mai T. Dinh, Acting Assistant General Counsel

Dear Ms. Dinh,

I am writing to voice my strong opposition to the FEC’s proposed rule changes which would drastically alter the legal status of many activist nonprofits. In my opinion, these rule changes constitute an assault on political free speech and this is not acceptable in a democracy that prides itself on such freedoms. I urge you not to pass these changes.

Sincerely,
[name]
[mailing address]
[e-mail address]