Power Trip

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Yet another group of officious intermeddlers has decided that it has the responsibility to decide what information Wisconsin’s citizens may be permitted to hear during elections.

This time it is the Government Accountability Board.

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/278844

I wish I could agree with the critics that this board has overstepped its authority. Unfortunately, I think the Legislature has given them the power, as outrageous as that may be.

Section 5.05(1)(f) provides … “The government accountability board shall have the responsibility for the administration of chs. 5 to 12 , other laws relating to elections and election campaigns, subch. III of ch. 13, and subch. III of ch. 19. Pursuant to such responsibility, the board may: …

(f) Promulgate rules under ch. 227 applicable to all jurisdictions for the purpose of interpreting or implementing the laws regulating the conduct of elections or election campaigns or ensuring their proper administration.”

If only the United States had a constitution that contained a provision something along the lines of: “Congress [and the states] shall pass no law … abridging the freedom of speech…”