Trump. Shapiro. Hortman. Hoffman. Kirk. From the president to our governor to state lawmakers and now, an activist and nonprofit leader, violence against political figures in America is metastasizing seemingly by the day. When we justifiably fear harm to ourselves and our families for voicing our beliefs, the free society we take for granted will be no more.
Unquestionably, it is incumbent on everyone in America to change the tone and tenor of our debates, but tangible action must be taken by our elected officials as well. In Pennsylvania, if you donate over $50 to a candidate over a two-year period, your name and home address are readily accessible in a database maintained by the secretary of state.
If you donate over $250 in the same period, your occupation and employer are searchable as well. These are all the necessary components of a blueprint to be followed by deranged extremists with an ax to grind against their opponents.
It is well past time for lawmakers to reconsider our antiquated disclosure laws in a digital age rife with political violence. Significantly increasing those disclosure thresholds and publicly redacting Pennsylvanians’ home address and employer information would be a wise and timely start.
Matt Nese
Murrysville