In his weekly radio and internet address, President Barack Obama once again lashed out at corporate America, foreign corporations, Wall Street banks, Republicans; virtually anyone who dare speak out against him. Instead of changing course from the failed policies that have pushed unemployment high and economic indicators low, Mr. Obama is seeking to stem the tidal wave of rejection heading his way in November by blunting the impact of his critics.

Continued...

Still refusing to accept the Supreme Court's ruling in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission, Mr. Obama continues to repeat the falsehoods and divisive rhetoric that he's been pushing on the American people since the case was decided. (see Obama's Supreme Lie)

In addition to the oft-repeated lie about foreign-controlled corporations, today the president suggested that big insurance companies, Wall Street banks, and even the current corporate boogeyman of choice BP could influence our elections as if participating in the process in compliance with federal law is some nefarious plot. No doubt he is trying to frighten the American people into distrusting anything critical of him or his congressional cronies; calling those who choose to exercise their constitutionally protected freedom of speech "shadowy groups with harmless-sounding names". (source)

In his attempt to circumvent the spirit of the high court ruling, the president is pushing for the so-called Disclose Act - legislation which would force most organizations to disclose the source of funding for any political ads. But the act as written by Democrats, would exempt certain organizations such as unions from such disclosure. Obviously those exemptions would give some groups an advantage over others and that is hardly in keeping with the First Amendment.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) says that the bill is not about transparency as Democrats claim, "This bill is about protecting incumbent Democrats from criticism ahead of November." (source)

So obviously was the president's address today. While he presses for limitations on the freedom of speech of his critics, he endorses divisive legislation that favors his supporters - special treatment for special interests. Yet he closed his remarks today by saying we now face an "opportunity to prevent special interests from gaining even more clout in Washington. This shouldn’t be a Democratic issue or a Republican issue. This is an issue that goes to whether or not we will have a democracy that works for ordinary Americans - a government of, by, and for the people." As long as those people don't dare to criticize him.