Quote:
Originally posted by Sparhawk
I didn't think foreigners could contribute to an American political campaign. Someone correct me if I'm wrong...
|
james t kirk
is an American
. Someone correct me if I'm wrong
.
Anyway, here is an interesting and timely piece:
http://writ.corporate.findlaw.com/dorf/20031224.html
(too long to paste).
It appears as though MoveOn was taking donations from foreign sources but is no longer. There seems to be an old ban (~30 years) against foreign donations but the site speculates that it won't hold up to constitutional muster once it's tested in court. The author bases his conclusions on a recent ruling in the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform law (McConnell v. Federal Election Comm'n) that struck down a portion of it that banned minors from contributing based on their first amendment rights.
He also explains that first amendment rights have historically been applied to foreigners. The author concludes that democratic ideals should allow for foreigners to be allowed to voice their opinions in our elections, even if the ban is constitutional.