Live Free Radio Keep Living Free

The Senate will likely vote on the DISCLOSE Act again TODAY. That's why we're sending this message earlier than normal. It's urgent that you act quickly.

Incumbents banded together in 2002 to make it effectively a crime, punishable by jail, for a non-profit group like DownsizeDC.org to broadcast issue ads during the final days of an election campaign.

The Supreme Court fixed this problem earlier this year, getting something right for a change. In the Citizens United case they restored the right of non-profit corporations like DownsizeDC.org, Inc., to broadcast issue ads during elections.

The name of the case fits. Non-wealthy CITIZENS are UNITED in organizations: They band together using their First Amendment rights of association and press to publish and broadcast their opinions. Bad laws have forced we citizens into a legal cul de sac, where WE NEED CORPORATIONS LIKE CITIZENS UNITED AND DOWNSIZE DC TO HELP US ACHIEVE OUR GOAL OF BEING HEARD. But . . .

In this year when most Americans want to fire Congress, the incumbent politicians are making a last ditch effort to protect incumbency -- by chilling dissent. Here's what's at stake . . .

Because DownsizeDC.org is un-willing to expose its list of supporters (your name) to the Federal Election Commission we would be PROHIBITED from running ads exposing a candidate's record.

We explain, in greater detail, how this law would affect the groups you love most at the web page opposing the anti-First Amendment DISCLOSE Act.

To create artificial demand for this terrible bill, numerous politicians, including the President, have lied about the Citizens United decision. It's time to call them on it -- literally.

First, send them a letter RIGHT NOW. Here's what I wrote using DownsizeDC.org's Educate the Powerful System:

There has been a massive disinformation campaign designed to push through this anti-First Amendment bill.

* Some Representatives and Senators have said that the Citizens United ruling overturned 100 years of law, when it fact it merely overturned a 20-year old decision. http://tinyurl.com/2f9c4qq

* Many of these same incumbent politicians claimed that now major corporations, like BP, would be able to buy our elections (one of your members even said bribery was now legal!).

* Which is richly ironic, because . . .

a) The DISCLOSE Act only restricts regular-sized non-profits while exempting behemoths like the NRA and AARP, and . . . http://tinyurl.com/2vxe23w
b) Major commercial corporations have always held tremendous sway over our government, and any pretense that they don't insults my intelligence. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Regulatory_capture

Face it: The DISCLOSE Act is about NOTHING MORE THAN CHILLING DISSENT.

And I'm in on the secret.

If you vote for this bill then it means you want to disenfranchise the little guy for the benfit of yourself and big special interests.

There's a better alternative. As James Madison said Federalist No.10, the best way to counter the influence of tremendous wealth, and the concentrated benefits that big corporations seek, is to foster the freedom for many voices to join the political fray. That's why the First Amendment reads, "Congress shall make no law," that even "abridges" (remotely infringes) on my rights of association and expression -- NO LAW.

I emphatically urge you to work and vote for a filibuster, and failing that, to work as hard as you can to defeat the DISCLOSE Act.

END LETTER

Second, because the vote is occurring today, PLEASE ALSO CALL YOUR SENATORS ON THE PHONE. Their numbers are provided on the same page where you send your letter to Congress, if you're logged-in to your account.

Remember to tell them you're a constituent of theirs, and to be brief, polite, but forceful.

Please pass this message on to others, removing the information below my signature so no one accidentally unsubscribes you. Also, if you have a blog, please repost this information.

Jim Babka
President
DownsizeDC.org, Inc.

-----

GOD'S WORD FOR TODAY
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:26 (KJV)

IN THE NEWS
OBAMA NATION

Obama’s Aunt: ‘If I Come Here As An (Illegal) Immigrant, You Have The Obligation To Make Me A Citizen’
http://bit.ly/9vyevj

Key Obama economy adviser to quit
http://bbc.in/afMoVx

'I'm exhausted defending you': Middle-class mother confronts Obama at meet-the-voters event
http://bit.ly/d2ydTK

Campaigning Democrats turn against health care reform and Barack Obama
http://bit.ly/b5gEWN

Shut down! Question about back taxes Press secretary bypasses 2nd-most senior reporter on beat
http://bit.ly/cstdjz

POLICE STATE NEWS

Real-Time Security Cameras Link NYC Subway Hubs
http://bit.ly/99hD53

Bill would let feds block pirate websites worldwide - Copyright enforcement as censorship
http://bit.ly/8Z7zH3

Database of suspicious activity going live with little attention
http://bit.ly/dd9eY2

Pittsburgh's FBI field office comes under scrutiny
http://bit.ly/9PrZyW

State senator Tom Duane to reintroduce mandatory flu vaccinations for healthcare workers
http://bit.ly/dpULsw

Inspector General clears FBI in Miami protests
http://bit.ly/bhrPlt

Cop breaks neck of 84-year-old WWII vet
http://bit.ly/a4628S

POLITICS & GOVERNMENT

3rd woman says 'sexting' Calumet County DA harassed her - Yet he is not being fired
http://bit.ly/c4fMrp

Israeli police storm Jerusalem mosque compound
http://bit.ly/bauwxD

'Don't ask, don't tell' repeal goes down in flames
http://bit.ly/c45yUZ

Taxpayers to subsidize referrals to Planned Parenthood
http://bit.ly/dxQESU

Ohio Dem chair drops F-bomb - Tea party 'f---ers'
http://politi.co/aELs5e

Take-action Senate Scheduled to Vote on anti-Free Speech Bill
http://bit.ly/aEMND

Jefferson prosecutor hopeful calls U.S. 'fascist police state' in clip filmed 3 years ago
http://bit.ly/9xzAzW

N.Y. Appellate Court Panel Suspends Lawyer/Law Judge for Ex Parte Contacts
http://bit.ly/a8YfnK

Landmark Day Hailed as More Nations Ban Use of Child Soldiers
http://bit.ly/bOfHge

Howard-Bush defence treaty passes hurdle
http://bit.ly/9ujjul

US House puts oceans, coasts under UN: Senate vote will seal the deal
http://bit.ly/cHR3dS

Prepare To Be Betrayed
http://bit.ly/cNMAPo

Ex-city manager among 8 arrested in Calif. scandal
http://yhoo.it/cEVXch

University bans political e-mails
http://bit.ly/9cylZJ

ECONOMIC NEWS

Forget $1,300, Gold Is Heading To $11,000 On Dollar Collapse
http://bit.ly/c8wzm7

Homebuilding industry years away from recovery
http://yhoo.it/cJdW1J

21 communities to plan 'Promise Neighborhoods'
http://yhoo.it/9IFnaZ

HEALTH NEWS

Latest Vaccine Propaganda: It Prevents Heart Attacks
http://bit.ly/9ZZNWJ

Unusual illnesses: Curiouser and curiouser
http://bit.ly/a8GnL9

MORAL DECLINE

Cops: Indiana kids died after 10 hours in closet
http://bit.ly/ayXvYk

KFC pays college women for ad space on buns
http://usat.ly/9N0Xxp

CRIME NEWS

Woman in acid-attack hoax charged with theft
http://bit.ly/bfwa6u

2ND AMMENDMENT

5 Wisconsin Carry Members Handcuffed, Detained
http://bit.ly/at8w9F

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Keeping your computer safe from hackers
http://bit.ly/ceflht

Addicts, hackers stealing identifications and more on the internet
http://bit.ly/bDitrI

Planning a holiday? Beware of hackers
http://bit.ly/cirJxn

One in five college and university students have hacked
http://bit.ly/9jeymY

Hackers to Target ATMs in Australia
http://bit.ly/cvjs4I

When alleged 'web hackers' attempt takeover of marketing institute
http://bit.ly/9IrFtv

Twitter worms spread quickly thanks to blatant security flaw
http://bit.ly/cVzPN8

Linux Kernel Exploit Gives Hackers a Back Door
http://bit.ly/9PO0Z4

Hackers Exploit Twitter Security Flaw
http://bit.ly/c6qXDQ

GIVING TO CHARITY

US millionaire leaves $8 Million to Wombat Awareness Organisation
http://bit.ly/aE6LUx

CORPORATE POLICY

Hotel ousts couple after accusing them of writing negative TripAdvisor review
http://usat.ly/bzjAnD