Voting "no" on Question 2 in Massachusetts is the only option for supporters of free speech. Liberals and conservatives should unite against this power grab.

The aim of this question is to change the Constitution of the United States to limit the ability of some Americans to express their opinions and share information about politicians during elections. The proponents claim "money is not speech." Try communicating facts and opinions without money.

Money is a crucial component of free speech. Money is needed to pay for newspaper, radio, television and digital ads. Money is needed to pay for the research to back up opinions with facts. Money is needed to pay for the staff to coordinate the communication campaign. Money is needed for rent, electricity, computers, transportation, etc.

One of the great programs in the Cold War against Soviet slavery was the smuggling of typewriters, printing presses, fax machines, and the required ink into those nations suffering under the repressive boot of Communism. The Communist state bureaucrats and the secret police controlled the means of communication. People could only share the facts and opinions that were in line with the totalitarian dictatorships. Those illegal machines in the hands of freedom fighters allowed people to learn about new ideas and facts. That equipment was purchased with money. Without money, there is no speech.

Question 2 would create a government commission to limit political free speech by amending the First Amendment. This powerful commission would be picked by politicians. Let that sink in. The political class would decide how a collection of individuals organized as a corporation could or actually could not participate in sharing information, facts and opinions with other individuals.

The name of the government commission is straight out of George Orwell's novel of a totalitarian society, 1984: "Citizens Commission Concerning a Constitutional Amendment for Government of the People."

The government commission would consist of 15 members. The members would be chosen by the Governor, the Secretary of the Commonwealth, the State Attorney General, the Speaker of the House, and the President of the State Senate. What a great way for the political class to control the flow of ideas to the voters and to limit election competition.

I wonder if they have any of those heavily-used fax machines for sale in Poland?

Vote to preserve free speech in America. Vote "no" on Question 2.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author. 

More From WBSM-AM/AM 1420