Cohen makes sense on free speech
Once again I need to congratulate one of my favorite columnists, Richard Cohen. I seldom fail to read his contributions, and I am always comforted by his reasonable voice. He makes so much sense, sometimes I can’t determine which “side” he’s on, Democrat or Republican.
In his Jan. 18 column about free speech in campaign ads, he points out a frustration felt by many of us in the electorate. The press, as the ferocious watchdog of our political culture, appears more likely to growl over perceived injustices by the political right than the left. He points out that it wasn’t wrong for Howard Stein to gather his cronies and their finances to campaign (and ultimately win the nomination), for Democrat Eugene McCarthy in 1968, but the same (albeit much older) press today vilifies Sheldon Adelson for his substantial super PAC donation “enabling Newt Gingrich to maul Mitt Romney” on their path to the Republican prize.
Isn’t free speech “free” for all? Why do some liberals believe certain “rights” are only for those who agree with them, the rest need government intervention? I’m saddened over the notion that our elections are purchased by those with the most money, but isn’t there lots of money in the campaign war chests of both parties?
Darla Krzeczowski
Arlington Heights