What is free speech?

To the Editor: According to politicians like Senate Republican Whip Mitch O’Connell, lobbyists contributing wads of cash to the members of Congress is “free speech.” The Supreme Court has determined that these payments are “speech” protected by the First Amendment. On the other hand, by wearing a tee-shirt carrying a message mourning American dead in Iraq, Cindy Sheehan was thrown out of the president’s State of the Union address and arrested. This is a sad commentary on the state of government morality. Our government constitutionally protects corruption in the form of bribery paid to, or on behalf of, elected officials. Right on the floor of the House, just before a crucial vote, John Boehner, newly elected Republican House leader, handed out envelopes full of money to representatives willing to vote in favor of tobacco companies. This is “free speech?” No sanctions were imposed on Boehner. In fact, House Republicans just elected him their leader because he promises to enact “reforms.” On the other hand, a woman expressing her concern for those who died in Iraq by wearing a tee shirt in the same room where Boehner made his tobacco payoff is carried off and arrested. Go figure. Michael G. Busche Sussex