 "Sometimes the good guys win . . . but only when they stand up to the bad guys. Nowhere is this more true than in politics especially with the increasingly vicious partisan attempts to criminalize opposition." ~ Paul Jacobs, Townhall |
Police-state tactics.
Most folks now understand how the War on Drugs and the War on Terror can erode civil liberties — but how does campaign finance law fit in with the other two?
My weekend Townhall column explains.
Several years ago, Wisconsin’s Republican Governor Scott Walker sought to tame public unions in his state, and against much opposition — quite a bit of it national — not only succeeded in changing law but beat back a recall vote as well.
So Democratic Milwaukee County District Attorney John Chisholm orchestrated a crack-down on conservative groups supportive of Walker’s reforms, complete with night-time SWAT-team raids on the homes of activists who were, they judged, “on the wrong side.”
The thin rationale was possible campaign finance violations, the idea that citizens and their organizations “coordinating” with the governor to advocate for public policies is somehow illegal.
The police state tactics were used because they were available. And obviously thought to be politically acceptable. That the courts have now ruled the means — indeed, the whole probe by prosecutors — unconstitutional doesn’t negate the terrifying fact that the state used such horrific methods to attack peaceful people.
Clearly, people in government have used understandable fears regarding drugs and terrorism to erode our liberties, even when the “crimes” they fight with such illiberal overkill have nothing — absolutely nothing — to do with drugs or terror.
Except the drug that is — and the terror wielded by — out-of-control government.
This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.
------------------
Paul Jacobs is author of Common Sense which provides daily commentary about the issues impacting America and about the citizens who are doing something about them. He is also President of the Liberty Initiative Fund (LIFe) as well as Citizens in Charge Foundation. Jacobs is a contributing author on the ARRA News Service.
Tags: Paul Jacob, Common Sense, Police-State Tactics, Wisconsin, Democratic Milwaukee County District Attorney, John Chisholm, police raids, Walker Supporters, Scott Walker, Good Guy To share or post to your site, click on "Post Link". Please mention / link to the ARRA News Service. and "Like" Facebook Page - Thanks!
No comments:
Post a Comment
Comments are moderated by the editor! Supporting and opposing comments are welcome. Language deemed to be a questionable or offensive or "gutter language" by the editorial staff will not be displayed. Comments that are beyond a few paragraphs and are in fact "essays" are edited or not posted. Comments advertising products and services, any "xxx material or links" or which are blatant attacks by Liberals are not posted. We do post comments as determined by the editor from other sites, services and social media which share our articles, article links, or use our feed.