Human Rights Magazine
Winter 1998, Volume 25, Issue 1
The Reform Quandary: Can Campaign Finance Reform Coexist with the First Amendment?
In June of 1997, a prominent elected official wrote to the Federal Election Commission appealing for reform of the country's campaign finance system. That politician was President Bill Clinton. Since then, the debate over how much reform is needed has caused many to question whether reform will have a negative effect of chilling free speech.
By Jeremy Lehrer
A Pro and Con Debate: How Much Campaign Finance Reform Do We Need?
Undoubtedly one of the hottest legislative issues of the 105th Congress, campaign finance reform has done one thing--brought together Democrats and Republicans who agree that something must be done to prevent a repeat of the spending excesses of the 1996 election season.
by Tena Jamison Lee
Can Campaign Finance Reform Coexist with the First Amendment?
If the First Amendment bars the government from restricting my freedom to speak in support of my candidate, it must equally bar the government from restricting my freedom to contribute money to help my candidate disseminate his or her message to the voters.
By Charles F. Hinkle
Clean Elections in Illinois Next?
An Illinois task force will consider proposals over the next two months to adopt some kind of campaign finance reform. However, skeptics believe that whatever is adopted might be found unconstitutional eventually.
By John Otrompke
Ending Pay to Play: What are the ethics issues when lawyers contribute to political campaigs?
The ABA has created a task force to consider revised professional standards to govern political contributions by lawyers.
By Ky Henderson
Challenging Social Security Cuts
More than 138,000 parents and guardians nationwide have been notified by the Social Security Administration that their children are no longer eligible for supplemental security income under new and more stringent guidelines outlined under welfare reform. A push is on to help some of those parents and guardians file appeals.
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