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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsLaw professor tells senators: If money is speech, outlawing prostitution is unconstitutional
Law professor tells senators: If money is speech, outlawing prostitution is unconstitutionalBy Eric W. Dolan at the Raw Story
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/06/04/law-professor-tells-senators-if-money-is-speech-outlawing-prostitution-is-unconstitutional/?onswipe_redirect=no&oswrr=1
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An American law professor told senators on Tuesday that outlawing prostitution was a violation of the First Amendment if spending money was a form of free speech.
Your other point though about money not equaling speech is a critical point for people to understand, American University professor Jamie Raskin said during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing. There are lots of forms of purchase and exchange that we criminalize, for example, buying sex. We dont say if someone wants to purchase the services of a prostitute, well that is just an expression of their speech.
In its 1976 Buckley v. Valeo decision, the Supreme Court ruled that limits on political spending violated the First Amendment. The court held that spending money to influence elections was a form of constitutionally protected speech.
The decision was later followed by similar rulings in the Citizens United and McCutcheon cases, further eroding limits on political spending and contributions. The Supreme Court rulings have led to an unprecedented amount of money being spent to influence the outcome of elections.
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TlalocW
(15,373 posts)Because I think he just told lawmakers to their faces in an official hearing that they're no different than prostitutes.
TlalocW
tk2kewl
(18,133 posts)adieu
(1,009 posts)politicians give me eternal nightmares.
Uncle Joe
(58,271 posts)Thanks for the thread, applegrove.
hughee99
(16,113 posts)When the government takes taxes, it is infringing on my ability to spend money, and therefore my first amendment rights.
okaawhatever
(9,457 posts)KurtNYC
(14,549 posts)A superliminal message for them.
Jamastiene
(38,187 posts)DireStrike
(6,452 posts)airplaneman
(1,239 posts)It seems to me that anyone buying all the politicians they can would also be just as interested in buying all the sex they can. Outwardly it doesn't sound cool but inwardly it must get them excited.
-Airplane
AdHocSolver
(2,561 posts)...making the outlawing of prostitution unconstitutional apply only to oral sex?
smallcat88
(426 posts)Since those in favor of Citizens United have morals far below that of whores.
I thought his most important point was that money is not speech, it's property! If the Koch's money actually started talking and said we don't like you, don't like being used by you - would they let it leave?