As you might have surmised, our editorial board is in the process of evaluating candidates in this fall's election.  If a well-intended piece of federal legislation becomes law, however, we might not have to go to the trouble in the future.  Hence, officers of the National Conference of Editorial Writers have written to Sen. Benjamin Cardin of Marryland, asking him to amend or withdraw the Newspaper Revitalization Act.

Out of respect for the press and the financial pressures it is facing, Cardin introduced the measure that would allow newspapers to become tax-exempt educational institutions. That would prohibit newspapers from endorsing candidates or advocating for legislative positions.

OK, I can hear the feigned sobs, but save your sarcasm.  Not only would editorial writers be silenced, so would letter writers and guest columnists.  That is, so would you.

It won't surprise you that I think the loss of those voices, all of them, would be harmful to our democratic heritage.  But what do you think?

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