Disturbing Trends

In what could only be described as a disturbing trend, comes this story from the Seattle Times.

The key section:

City rules normally require candidates to disclose the names of donors who give more than $25. If donors give more than $100, their employers also must be disclosed.

But the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that exemptions to contributor disclosure laws are justified in cases where fear of harassment or threats of violence against unpopular viewpoints creates a chilling effect on the willingness of people to associate with a political party or ideology.

Hoeppner is hoping for such an exemption at a special meeting of the ethics commission today.

If the standard is "fear of harassment or threats of violence against unpopular viewpoints", many of our local electeds wouldn't have to report a dime. Go figure.