Is independent political speech the linchpin of our democracy or its
Achilles' heel? For democracy to work, some say, citizens (and
corporations, and unions, and media outlets, and other voluntary
organizations) must be allowed to express their views on the issues,
candidates, and elections of the day. This proposition, they say, is
exactly why the First Amendment protects the freedom of speech and of
the press. On this view, restrictions on independent political speech
undermine and subvert our constitutional structure. But others take a
different view: If everyone can spend as much money as they like to
express their political views, then some voices will be amplified,
magnified and enhanced — while others will be all but drowned out. On
this view, it is this inequality of influence that subverts our
constitutional structure — and restrictions that level the playing field
actually enhance rather than abridge the freedom of speech.
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