Regulatory czar supports regulating free speech

Rooted in Cass Sunstein’s newest book, On Rumors, is an underlying disdain for individual responsibility and the principle of freedom. Sunstein, Obama’s regulatory czar, wrote at length about the importance of what is, in essence, the need for an internet fairness doctrine. In his book he singles out Sean Hannity for “attacking” Obama’s “alleged” relationship with the self avowed domestic terrorist, Bill Ayers. He continued to talk about the need for government to step in and make it easier to sue for libel, and possibly even contract a new “fairness doctrine.”

Moving beyond the fact that Obama’s past relationship with the infamous Bill Ayers is far from being a rumor, it is worth noting that this is not the first time the czar has made advances upon our right to free speech. The focal point of his book is that “in the era of the internet, it has become easy to spread false or misleading rumors about almost anyone.” (Maybe we should instead try to live up to the accuracy of such sites as the White House’s website recovery.gov?)

But underlying all the arguments and pontifications within the book is a clear contempt for freedom and individual thought. He even contends “freedom usually works, but in some contexts, it is an incomplete corrective.” An incomplete corrective? Why? Because people will not always reach the conclusion he would like them to? Sunstien goes on to argue that “a right to demand a retraction after a clear demonstration that a statement is both false and damaging” should be enforced. But who determines whether or not a statement is true? He does not say specifically; but educated guesses can be made when his most recent work is put in the context of his previous positions.

Previously, Sunstein has written what he calls a “First Amendment New Deal,” (personally, I like the old deal) which would include a governmental regulatory body in charge of ensuring “diversity” on the airwaves. Among other things, the “new deal” would require commercial stations to provide financial subsidies to public television, or stations that are less profitable. (How charmingly socialist.) He also considers “more dramatic approaches as well;” adding that “it seems quite possible that a law that contained regulatory remedies would promote rather than undermine freedom of speech.” Really? How would regulatory bodies and restrictions on content possibly promote “free speech?” The last time I checked, Liberals are legally able to produce talk shows. . . They just aren’t very good at turning a profit.

But that is just the problem. Sunstein is a student of the Orwellian school of thought. The idea of free speech being regulated by the government to make it supposedly more free is akin to arguing that “all are equal, but some are more equal than others.” His attack on freedom, and governance by we the people, is not evidenced only by speculation. At one point he argued that the old fairness doctrine “stresses not the autonomy of broadcasters, but instead the need to promote democratic self-government by ensuring that people are presented with a broad range of views about public issues . . . In a market system, this goal may be compromised.” Understand what he is saying, for it is vital to understand this man’s contempt for your individuality. His suggestion is to inject more government, so that you may govern yourself. . . Think about that. . . At this point in class I would sheepishly raise my hand and ask: If government is controlling my information, are we really self governed? But again his true intentions become clear at the end of his comments. He attacks the free market. Remember what Milton Freidman said: “Underlying most arguments against the free market, is a lack of belief in freedom itself.”

But it is necessary to remember where Sunstein comes from, politically. He once wrote a book called “Nudge” which talked about the need to nudge the public into believing certain things politically and socially by setting up obstacles and regulation. He calls the "nudge" system, a way to "design choice environments" through policy and regulation. (Maybe he is more qualified for the role of regulatory czar than I give him credit for. While he seems to have a distorted view of the Constitution, he seems quite thoughtful when it comes to regulating us out of our freedom.) Perhaps his drive to make libel suits easier to levy is so that bloggers, reporters and commentators are “nudged” into complacency and silence. His attempts to call for more government control and regulated “self-governance,” is not just Orwellian, but patently disingenuous. It is not governance by the people, if government controls what information the people can, cannot, should or should not receive.

His new book demonstrates the same statist authoritative mindset that his older writings demonstrated: a fundamental dislike for true freedom. Sunstien does not believe the American public is capable of determining fact from fiction or smart enough to make decisions on their own; and he opposes the idea that it is our right to do so without government oversight or intervention. Just as importantly, Cass Sunstien, like all authoritarians and statists, despise the idea of allowing we the people the opportunity to flourish with our independence. Put simply: he does not trust you to reach the same world view as he has. But, it is not the government’s job to ensure all voices are heard. It is rather, their job to step out of the way. Silencing one group of thought to promote an opposing ideology is hardly the meaning of “free-speech.” It is the people’s right to say what they wish, and believe what they choose. Freedom harbors diversity. This diversity is the very thing that threatens the world view of people like Sunstein.

In an effort to quiet and censor the alternative perspective, Sunstien will continue to attack the very liberty that affords him the right to his radical beliefs. The troubling thing is: as he attempts to regulate us out of our freedom, he now has the power of the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs behind him.

For more of Michael’s soon-to-be-regulated free speech, click here.

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