QUOTE
...Earlier today, the Federal Election Commission proposed new regulations concerning political expression on the Internet. And, the FEC has asked for "public comment" on them.
Please join me in signing the letter and submitting your comments to FEC Chairman Thomas. Tell the FEC that it is critical that the new regulations strengthen online democracy - not weaken it.
You may have heard a lot about this issue in recent days. One FEC commissioner has said that new rules could even extend to activities as simple as forwarding a campaign's press release to your e-mail list, or posting a link to a campaign on your blog. Simple activities that we take for granted when we're talking politics with our friends over coffee could now become highly regulated activities if they take place online, categorized as "campaign contributions."
We are hopeful that the FEC will do the right thing. And in fact, the proposed regulations do seem to indicate that cooler heads may be prevailing at the FEC. That said, these are still "proposed" regulations. The fight is not over, it is just beginning. For this reason, it is critical that public comments to the FEC include those from defenders of online democracy. We must keep up the pressure.
Please join me in signing the letter and submitting your comments to FEC Chairman Thomas. Tell the FEC that the First Amendment must apply to the Internet as well.
You and I both know we need more voices in politics today, not fewer. And we know that the Internet is one of the best ways for these voices to actually be heard. The FEC needs to encourage a vibrant conversation online - not squelch one of the greatest communications tools our democracy has known. During this period of "public comment," the FEC will no doubt hear from those seeking to push too far against democracy. For this reason, it is critical that the FEC hears from defenders of online democracy as well.
Please join me in <a href="http://ga3.org/campaign/freespeech/ww37iuk4z5j6jem">signing the letter</a> and submitting your comments to FEC Chairman Thomas. Tell the FEC to do the right thing.
Working together, we can let the Federal Election Commission know that the Internet is a powerful tool for strengthening our democracy. I hope you will join me in this effort - and invite everyone you know to join our cause.
Thank you,
John Edwards
Please join me in signing the letter and submitting your comments to FEC Chairman Thomas. Tell the FEC that it is critical that the new regulations strengthen online democracy - not weaken it.
You may have heard a lot about this issue in recent days. One FEC commissioner has said that new rules could even extend to activities as simple as forwarding a campaign's press release to your e-mail list, or posting a link to a campaign on your blog. Simple activities that we take for granted when we're talking politics with our friends over coffee could now become highly regulated activities if they take place online, categorized as "campaign contributions."
We are hopeful that the FEC will do the right thing. And in fact, the proposed regulations do seem to indicate that cooler heads may be prevailing at the FEC. That said, these are still "proposed" regulations. The fight is not over, it is just beginning. For this reason, it is critical that public comments to the FEC include those from defenders of online democracy. We must keep up the pressure.
Please join me in signing the letter and submitting your comments to FEC Chairman Thomas. Tell the FEC that the First Amendment must apply to the Internet as well.
You and I both know we need more voices in politics today, not fewer. And we know that the Internet is one of the best ways for these voices to actually be heard. The FEC needs to encourage a vibrant conversation online - not squelch one of the greatest communications tools our democracy has known. During this period of "public comment," the FEC will no doubt hear from those seeking to push too far against democracy. For this reason, it is critical that the FEC hears from defenders of online democracy as well.
Please join me in <a href="http://ga3.org/campaign/freespeech/ww37iuk4z5j6jem">signing the letter</a> and submitting your comments to FEC Chairman Thomas. Tell the FEC to do the right thing.
Working together, we can let the Federal Election Commission know that the Internet is a powerful tool for strengthening our democracy. I hope you will join me in this effort - and invite everyone you know to join our cause.
Thank you,
John Edwards