To the Editor:
You claim that voters “badly need” to know the donors to groups like the
Chamber of Commerce, Sierra Club, Planned Parenthood or the Farm Bureau
in order to—well, in order to what, exactly (“Filibusters
for the Big Money,” editorial, July 11)?
Everyone understands the perspective and interests of these groups. What
necessary knowledge is gained by knowing which Americans support these
and countless other groups?
Disclosure is intended to allow citizens to watch their government and
the people elected to office, not to allow the government and vengeful
activists to keep a watch on citizens. The Disclose Act
would regrettably turn back the clock on privacy protections, and
enable intimidation, harassment and retribution against Americans who
contribute to controversial causes—and every cause is controversial to
someone.
Senator Charles E. Schumer noted in unveiling the bill that it would
deter political speech. Fortunately, the First Amendment does not permit
Congress to deter speech any more than it may prohibit it directly.
Senator Scott Brown and the rest of his colleagues should resist the
call to silence those political voices that some find unwelcome.
Sean Parnell
President
Center for Competitive Politics
Alexandria, Va., July 12, 2010
Keith Burgess-Jackson, J.D., Ph.D. 