Kudo's to Markos, Kos for their letter, and Adam B's post. The message here is simple, the GOP is once again trying to intimidate and/or silence any independent sources of information or authority in this Country. While the copmlex analysis is appreciated, and the letter to Congress was hopefully, effective, this community needs to remember the sound bite offensive is important "Don't let Shays and the rest of the GOP attack the internet to shut down dissent." this is not really about fundriasing, but independent information.
Throughout the 90's and 90's the conolidation of media ownerhsip has severely restricted the flow of indpendent information. See for instance, the lack of coverage in the recent elections, and lack of exit polling. The federal judiciary, even though overwhelmingly filled with Republican appointees, has been under attack for years (remember the Frist Debacle, how about Republican Senators blaming judicial activits when a Federal Judge was assisated in her home last year) Labor Unions ability to contribute to campaigns is under constant attack. Right wing business interests keep passing more and more restrictive laws on the use of dues. Fortunately the most recent attck on unions failed in CA, but not by much. The motive is always the same, weaken the oppostiion, although the rationale used to cover up the motivations is always different.
I know alot of members here do not fully endorse the concept of framing ala Lakoff, or wonder how useful memes are. Don't let debates over the efficacy of campaign finance laws cloud the real issue here. I think its fairly simple, The Washington power brokers are trying to stifle debate on the internet because its a source of indendent news and power.