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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency Services District board says it won't levy maximum tax rate after all Since You Asked: No traffic signal slated at Main and Highland A test of mettle: GED tests are more rigorous Ashland gets new city parks director Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency Services All evacuation advisories lifted for Rogue River Drive fire Emergency Services Fire levels historic Phoenix house Medford rainfall hits record, halts fire Politics and Elections Commissioner Skundrick plans final four town hall meetings Medford eyes electronic sign visual pollution Medford council veterans plan exit Medical marijuana patients run for council seat Former colleagues laud Atiyeh's 'practical' leadership Education A test of mettle: GED tests are more rigorous Middle schoolers get a taste of college living Abraham Lincoln Elementary parents raise money for new playground State treasurer stumps for educational endowment measure Free meals program expands in Grants Pass Environment Stressed but off life support Rogue watershed councils plan to merge West Nile Virus found in mosquitoes collected near Central Point State news Nation - World Obituaries Clarence "C.A" A. 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It’s called dark money not because those spending it are necessarily evil — that characterization depends on your political leanings — but because those donating the cash get to do so anonymously. In the Oregon example, a group calling itself Freedom Partners Chamber of Commerce is reportedly spending $3.6 million on television ads attacking Sen. Jeff Merkley over his opposition to balanced budget legislation. The group, connected to the billionaire Koch Brothers’ political network, is not required to disclose its donors or the amounts they give. Lest anyone think this phenomenon is limited to the conservative side of the spectrum, know that dark money spending by liberal groups soared this year. The nonpartisan campaign finance watchdog group Center for Responsive Politics reported earlier this year that liberal groups had ramped up their spending 6,700 percent over the same period in the 2012 election cycle. The latest figures show conservative dollars still make up more than 65 percent of the total, but they are not alone. These groups, known as 501(c)(4) organizations in the tax code, are so-called “social welfare” groups — nonprofits that are able to deep their tax-exempt status as long as they are “primarily” involved in non-campaign activity — a vague standard at best. The Supreme Court, in its ruling in the Citizens United case that paved the way for unfettered spending by large donors, specifically said Congress could require public disclosure of donors without violating the Constitution. But Congress has refused to do so. Supporters of unlimited campaign spending argue that money is a form of free speech and it is wrong to limit it. The ever-increasing amounts being poured into campaigns would be far less troublesome if voters knew where the money was coming from. Then they could evaluate the messages being disseminated based on the interests behind the advertising. Some argue that requiring disclosure would discourage political participation by donors who value their privacy. If those donors are proud of their political convictions, they should have no problem putting their mouths where their money is. If not, then maybe discouraging their donations wouldn’t be such a bad thing. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 10, 2014 @ 2:00 am Updated Aug 11, 2014 at 10:19 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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