American National Government Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

American National Government - Essay Example The Supreme Court had never occasion to rule on freedom of speech issues until opponents of conscription during WWI were prosecuted for sedition. These cases established that speech that presented as "clear and present danger" to the government could be prohibited. This definition has remained the court's operative principle in such cases since that time. Since cases began to be brought before the court in the 1970s concerning campaign financing, the Court has consistently refused any limitation on the right of candidates to spend money, but just as consistently allowed the strict limitation of direct political contributions (so that, for example, an extremely wealthy individual could not single-handedly finance the campaign of any candidate but himself). The Supreme Court has always held that flag burning, precisely because of it unpopular and wildly politically inflammatory character, is protected speech. a. push: A push pool is a sort of telemarketing campaign disguised as a telephone poll in which the political operatives call potential voters and ask them leading or unfair questions meant to alter their political views. b.