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The brief, a project of the Downsize DC Foundation, deals with the unconstitutional nature of the electioneering communications provisions in the McCain-Feingold campaign finance law. We explained the need for this brief in greater detail earlier this month. ::::::We’ve attached the finished brief to this blog post (see “attachment” below) in the hopes that many will read it. It’s in pdf format. ::::::DownsizeDC.org was also a signatory. The brief was also sponsored and/or signed by these groups: Citizens United, Citizens United Foundation, Gun Owners of America Inc., Gun Owners Foundation, Joyce Meyer Ministries, Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund, Free Speech Coalition, Inc., Free Speech Defense and Education Fund, Inc., Lincoln Institute, and Public Advocate of the United States.::::::For those who donated in expectation of receiving their own Supreme Court-standard copy, we just received our copies and they will be in the mail to you before the week is out. Thanks for your support. ::::::Additional notes . . .
Jim Harper, of the Cato Institute, has taken a good hard look at the REAL ID Act. Here’s his conclusion: If the REAL ID Act had been in place before 9-11 the 9-11 terrorists would have had no problem acquiring REAL ID’s.
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:::This leads us to reprise the Groucho Marx quote we featured last week: “Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies.”
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:::The REAL ID Act is Exhibit A. It won’t work. It isn’t needed. It costs too much. The only people it will burden are innocent Americans.
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:::So how does Congress respond?
Rob Kampia, co-founder and Executive Director of the Marijuana Policy Project (MPP), will be my guest for the entire hour for the Downsize DC Conference Call (radio show).
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:::MPP has focused primarily on Medical Marijuana.
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:::Right now, MPP is planning four state ballot initiatives/referendums, plus has a lobbyist based in each of four different states. Learn what states and what the likelihood of success is in each of those states. We’ll also discuss, as time permits, the Angel Raich case, and potential for successes at the federal level.
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:::Of course, we want your questions.
:::1-800-259-9231 or
:::call at downsizedc dot org
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:::This is the final episode that MPP will be sponsoring, and so, this is something of a send-off. I’m grateful for the support MPP has given this program. Now, I’m looking for a new sponsor to keep this show going.
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:::If you’re interested in learning about sponsorship, please contact me at the show email address, again – call at downsizedc dot org
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:::We’ll also do a Gun Owners of America update as well.
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:::The show broadcasts on: KLID 1340-AM, Poplar Bluff, Missouri; WBCR 1470-AM Maryville, Tennessee; and WKLP 1390-AM Keyser, West Virginia. Sometimes, it’s on Radio Free Austin.
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:::But for most of you the best way to tune in is via the web at the Genesis Communications Network website.
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:::Jim Babka
:::Host
:::Downsize DC Conference Call
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RTBA Round-up
This show is an important one. In fact, it will, almost certainly, be re-aired in the future. ::::::What matters most — the issue or strategy that is most important if we want to Downsize DC. There’s only one. Find out what it is by listening to the mp3 (attached to this blog). ::::::The original promotion (and complete show description) of this episode, is located on our blog.
Less than ten minutes after hitting send on today’s message, I was informed by Jerry Hughes that his elderly mother-in-law was taken to the hospital and the prognosis is not good. Understandably, Jerry is going to be with his wife during this time instead of hosting his show. ::::::I assume they’ll run a tape, but I don’t know if it will include me. This is the nature of live media interviews. Sometimes, breaking news or real life has a way of interrupting. Thank you for understanding.
Today’s Downsizer-Dispatch . . .::::::Quote of the day:::::::Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it everywhere, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedies. ::::::– Groucho Marx::::::Today’s Subject: A “Read the Bills” Surge::::::Rye Terrell’s project to promote Downwsize DC and the “Read the Bills Act” through Digg.com was a smashing success. It resulted in . . .
This past Tuesday, four conservative leaders launched a project that even liberals can cheer: the American Freedom Agenda. According to this press release, “AFA’s mission is to enact legislation that restores ‘the Constitution’s checks and balances’ and makes the subject ‘a staple of political campaigns and of foremost concern to Members of Congress and to voters and educators.'”::::::The AFA launched a ten point plan:
Congress, March 12-17
As I started writing this blog, I was on The Right Source with Kevin Shannon. We’re talking about Downsizing DC, Read the Bills, and, of course, Digg.com. ::::::As of right now, Digg has brought in nearly 200 newly registered DC Downsizers. And to everyone who has gone and there and “Dugg” us and posted a comment, THANK YOU. ::::::Earlier today, I appeared on Straight Talk with Jerry Hughes and told his audience about the Digg article. As I went on air for that show, we were…::::::* the fourth busiest article on the site, :::* we were on page four of the Newly Popular (the main Digg page), :::* and we had dropped to number two on the Political Opinion page.::::::Now, I’m holding for and about to go on Free Talk Live with Ian and Mark. ::::::And several bloggers have responded to the call and sent people to see the fantastic article about the Read the Bills Act at Digg.com. ::::::As I finish writing this blog post, we’ve crossed 1,900 “Diggs.”::::::It’s been a good day for Downsize DC!