Supports Citizen United ruling

One example of our politicians’ failure to lead is I-166, which Montana voters strongly supported in last November’s election.

I-166 was part of a nationwide push to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. FEC. Common Cause, with funding from George Soros, helped promote this campaign to gut the First Amendment and protect the present power structure. If they are successful in enough states, this likely neuter the First Amendment of our U.S. Constitution.

I-166 was sold on the catch-phrase “corporations are not people.” Actually, it is part of the national movement lead by Common Cause to reduce our rights of freedom of speech and the press.

In Citizens United, the court overturned the unconstitutional McCain/Feingold Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, which limited contributions to national party committees and forbade independent political advertising by outside groups within 30 days of a primary or caucus and 60 days of a general election. The court agreed that government may regulate corporate political speech through disclaimer and disclosure requirements, but it may not suppress that speech altogether.

It should be apparent that forbidding political advertising by outside groups prior to elections is an abridgment of our First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and the press.

Citizens United, a non-profit corporation, wanted to place a documentary about Hillary Clinton on a pay-per-view cable TV channel where viewers could watch it for free. To make sure they complied with the law, Citizens United went to court and asked for permission to air the video. The case went to the U.S. Supreme Court, which found McCain/Feingold to be unconstitutional.

We now have had one election conducted under the Citizens United ruling. While it could be described as unruly, the supporters of the candidates and the issues certainly reached out to the voters more than in the past. It also challenged the incumbency.

Incumbent politicians do not want any unruly opponents to expose their backsliding and stupid votes. Once they get elected, they soon believe they are the only ones who can do the job and have the right to remain in office indefinitely.

Citizens United v. FEC empowers unruly opponents. Therefore, the king makers and powerful political organizations are bent on overturning it — even if it means overturning the First Amendment, and it does.

In order to stifle unfettered debate, overturn Citizens United and in furtherance of I-166, House Joint Resolution 6 (HJ6) is a resolution by the Montana Legislature intended to direct our two senators and one representative in Congress to reduce our right to free speech and free press. This likely would take away these rights from nonprofit corporations, political organizations such as the National Rifle Association, churches and unions.

I am proud to have helped kill HJ6 in the Montana House Judiciary Committee. I am expecting the powers who are afraid to let their opponents speak against them to attempt to resurrect it. Hopefully they will fail.

Rep. Jerry O’Neil, R-Columbia Falls, represents House District 3, urban and rural areas of Columbia Falls.