The real cost of free speech

Re “Toward freer speech,” editorial, Jan. 30

This editorial is an abomination. The free speech you seek to protect is the lastminute advertising paid for by special interests with exceedingly deep pockets. This is free speech for the rich and for corporate interests like yourselves, not for the people of this country. We should not encourage citizens to vote based on a last-minute ad funded by a corporate or special interest and produced by an advertising agency.

The exploding cost of elections in the U.S. and the accompanying corruption of elected officials are the biggest problems in our country today. Until elections are about ideas instead of money, our democracy is lost. We need full public financing of elections and free air time for candidates, not handouts to our plutocracy under the guise of free speech.

BRANDON MARLOWE

Santa Monica

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No bright line exists -- only a thick green one. If you have money, you can help finance someone else’s message in the media. If you have real money, you can articulate your own.

Free speech is only for those who can pay for it. The rest of us have to be content with being able to say what we want without the ability to broadcast it.

FRED BURGESS

Camarillo