I’m a big fan of freedom of speech, especially when it comes to criticizing politicians. So a few years ago when some ads by Wisconsin Right to Life mentioning two Wisconsin senators were barred from airing, I became angry.

The ads focused on the issue of judicial filibusters and asked people to contact their Senators Herb Kohl and Russ Feingold. Feingold is of course the McCain-Feingold guy. He was up for re-election, so according to his own legislation, the Federal Election Tribunal - er, Commission - just allow critics to mention his name.

What of the First Amendment’s clear language that “Congress shall make no law . . . abridging the freedom of speech”? Well, Wisconsin Right to Life filed suit, and their case is now before the Supreme Court.

James Bopp, the pro-life group’s attorney, realizes what’s at stake: “The deep roots of this case lie not in the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act of 2002 . . . nor even the First Amendment, but in the struggle of the Anglo-American people to (a) establish themselves as sovereigns and (b) curb the power of government officials to prevent the people from criticizing official actions.”

Bopp points out that the battle over freedom of speech goes back to serfs unable to speak against the king. And even after the American Revolution and the First Amendment, our government has continued to attack speech from the Sedition Act of 1798 to . . . well, McCain-Feingold.

Let’s hope freedom wins this round.

This is Common Sense. I’m Paul Jacob.