1. Why does the Court say that current F.E.C. regulations result in citizens needing "permission to speak"?

2. Why does the Court say that "The First Amendment confirms the freedom to think for

ourselves"?

3. The Court reasoned, "The appearance of influence or access, furthermore, will not cause

the electorate to lose faith in our democracy." Do you agree? What effect, if any, doesthis ruling have on the republican* principle of the United States government? *the term 'republican' here does not refer to the Republican party, but rather, a form of government that is ruled by the people.

4. Do you agree with the Court's ruling? What is your constitutional reasoning?

Part IIDirections:Mark each statement with an "A" if you agree or a "D" if you disagree, and justify your response.

_______ 1. Government should be able to punish the Sierra Club if it were to run an ad

immediately before a general election, trying to convince voters to disapprove of a

Congressman who favors logging in national forests.

Justify your response:

_______ 2. Government should be able to punish the National Rifle Association if it were to

publish a book urging the public to vote for the challenger because the incumbent

U. S. Senator supports a handgun ban.

Justify your response:

_______ 3. Government should be able to punish the American Civil Liberties Union if it creates

a website telling the public to vote for a presidential candidate in light of that

candidate's defense of free speech.

Justify your response:

_______ 4. "The First Amendment protects speech and speaker, and the ideas that flow from

each."

Justify your response:

_______ 5. "If the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits Congress from fining or jailing

citizens, or associations of citizens, for simply engaging in political speech."

Justify your response:

_______ 6. "When Government seeks to use its full power, including the criminal law, to

command where a person may get his or her information or what distrusted source

he or she may not hear, it uses censorship to control thought. This is unlawful. The First Amendment confirms the freedom to think for ourselves."

Justify your response:

1. Why does the Court say that current F.E.C. regulations result in citizens needing "permission to speak"?

2. Why does the Court say that "The First Amendment confirms the freedom to think for

ourselves"?

3. The Court reasoned, "The appearance of influence or access, furthermore, will not cause

the electorate to lose faith in our democracy." Do you agree? What effect, if any, doesthis ruling have on the republican* principle of the United States government? *the term 'republican' here does not refer to the Republican party, but rather, a form of government that is ruled by the people.

4. Do you agree with the Court's ruling? What is your constitutional reasoning?

Part IIDirections:Mark each statement with an "A" if you agree or a "D" if you disagree, and justify your response.

_______ 1. Government should be able to punish the Sierra Club if it were to run an ad

immediately before a general election, trying to convince voters to disapprove of a

Congressman who favors logging in national forests.

Justify your response:

_______ 2. Government should be able to punish the National Rifle Association if it were to

publish a book urging the public to vote for the challenger because the incumbent

U. S. Senator supports a handgun ban.

Justify your response:

_______ 3. Government should be able to punish the American Civil Liberties Union if it creates

a website telling the public to vote for a presidential candidate in light of that

candidate's defense of free speech.

Justify your response:

_______ 4. "The First Amendment protects speech and speaker, and the ideas that flow from

each."

Justify your response:

_______ 5. "If the First Amendment has any force, it prohibits Congress from fining or jailing

citizens, or associations of citizens, for simply engaging in political speech."

Justify your response:

_______ 6. "When Government seeks to use its full power, including the criminal law, to

command where a person may get his or her information or what distrusted source

he or she may not hear, it uses censorship to control thought. This is unlawful. The First Amendment confirms the freedom to think for ourselves."

Justify your response: