LETTERS: BILLS WOULD LIMIT PRO-LIRE INFORMATION

To the editor:

"House rejects campaign finance measure," read the headline. The bill, HR 3485, was postponed by the House Republican leadership probably until late April since the House will be in recess from April 2 to April 20. Continuing disagreements over the campaign reform legislation may even result int he entire issue being set aside entirely. The campaign reform bill was authored by U.S. Rep. Bill Thomas. This bill is strongly opposed by the National Right to Life organization, because some House members, led by pro-abortion U.S. Rep. Chris Shays, R-Conn., are pressing to be allowed to offer as an amendment the text of the McCain-Feingold bill.

Both the Thomas and Shays-McCain-Feingold bills would severely restrict the right of National Right to Life and its affiliates to communicate with the public regarding upcoming votes in Congress and regarding the positions and voting records of those who hold or seek federal office. Both bills are also opposed by the Christian Coalition and by a number of other organizations.

This being an election year, please take the time to find out how your elected officials stand on this issue. It is alarming to think that some of our elected officials would even think of restricting anyone's freedom of speech, especially since the courts have refused to restrict the filth and violence that are available to our children in their music, on TV, in the movies and on the Internet. Contact your legislators while they are in your area and tell them that you oppose any restriction of freedom of speech. Restricting pro-life groups from communicating with the public can only be construed as a means of keeping the pro-death agenda of the pro-choice representatives and senators secret from their constituents. Could it be they are ashamed of their agenda? Maybe they are afraid that the tide is turning toward a culture of life. How dare they presume to hide their dirty deeds behind such an amendment.

CHRISTINE E. STEPHENS

Cape Girardeau