I was at the Heritage Foundation yesterday for their weekly blogger conference call/meeting. One of the topics of discussion was the Fairness Doctrine and the Democrats' desire to reinstate it in order to restrict speech that does not comply with their world view. Democrats argue that the Fairness Doctrine will help provide balance in the political debate. The only problem with this assertion – the Fairness Doctrine has already proven to do the exact opposite. For over 30 years, the Fairness Doctrine restricted free speech as broadcasters continually avoided controversial and political topics for fear of government retribution.

In addition to failing to achieve its stated purpose, the Fairness Doctrine is a relic of bygone era. TechRepublican.com is intended to help the GOP improve its footprint in the online realm, and is therefore a prime example of the new mediums of communications and conduits of information that further relegate the Fairness Doctrine to the trash bin of history.

Democrats attempted to compete in the free market of talk radio and failed with Air America and now we are stuck with failed radio host and comedian Al Franken running for Senate.

Unfortunately, most Americans are unaware of the realities surrounding the Fairness Doctrine. After all, how could you be against something that supposedly mandates fairness in broadcasting? It is for this reason that the NRSC has launched an online petition and Web site at www.StopLiberalCensorship.com. I encourage everyone who reads this post to check out the site, sign the petition, and forward it on to friends and colleagues so we can let Democrats know they cannot silence dissident political views.

Open and honest political debate is at the core of our American identity and necessary for democracy to fully function. Democrats, led by the likes of Sens. Durbin and Kerry, are angling to undermine this right in order to save themselves and their party the public scrutiny which will further highlight their increasingly out-of-touch, liberal agenda. We must stop them and we must stand up for the First Amendment.