FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 26, 2006

US SUPREME COURT SIDES WITH LIBERTARIANS, UPHOLDS POLITICAL FREE SPEECH

As Vermont Libertarian Party Chair Hardy Machia predicted in February, the US Supreme Court overturned Vermont’s onerous campaign finance laws. Libertarians in Vermont are cheering upon hearing the news.

A 6-3 decision in the Randall v. Sorrell case by the US Supreme Court threw out the restrictive spending and contribution limits on candidates and political parties passed by the Vermont legislature in 1997.

Vermont Libertarian Party Chair Hardy Machia said, “This is a huge win for political free speech in Vermont. The right to speak your mind, the right to use your hard-earned money to spread your message–either directly or via a candidate of your choice–ought never be infringed. This decision helps level the playing field between the entrenched parties and newer parties who have fresh ideas and are seeking to be heard.”

Libertarians want to strike at the root of the problem of money buying political influence.
Large amounts of campaign spending are just a symptom of the problem: politicians being able to dole out a lot of special favors and other types of pork while in office. Libertarians believe that government spending is out of control and that we can fix the problem by electing libertarian legislators.

Audio Quote by Hardy Machia:

• Hardy Machia speaking on Randall vs. Sorrell Decision

Links to old press releases on topic:

• PR: Libertarian Challenge of Campaign Finance Law Being Heard
• PR: Libertarian Chair Predicts Campaign Finance Law Will Not Stand