RE: First Amendment problems

[Brian Wohlert <numberfortyone@hotmail.com>]

I can see where some people believe that campaign finance reform would be a way of limiting a citizen's right to free speech, but I think it is necessary.  In class, we recently read a handout on the Buckley v. Valeo case and I came across a quote that struck me as especially pertenent to what we are discussing. It states that "A contribution serves as a general _expression_ of support for the candidate and his views, but does not communicate the underlying basis for the support."  This is in reference to the limited amount of money an individual can donate to a specific candidate.  It is saying that a donation is free speech, but it can be limited to a dollar amount, which I believe is correct.  Therefor politicians would be forced to appeal to more citizens in a quest for money, and therefor not be bought by one particular interest group.