From: Brad Boe [bhboe@juno.com]
Sent: Friday, September 06, 2002 3:34 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: control advertising!

I am writing in response to your request for public comments regarding the extent to which you should be able to control commercial speech about products under your juristiction. Although I believe in free speech, I do not believe this first amendment right was ever meant to facilitate the selling of goods. It was meant to protect our right to express ideas and beliefs. To use this protected right for the purpose of making money cheapens it. It also theatens it because when corporations enjoy First Amendment protections it essentially nullifies the speech rights of individuals, since individuals cannot afford the massive advertising campaigns that corporations wage. Free speech becomes speech of those who have the most money. Corporations are far too powerful already.  The FDA should seek the right balance between individuals and corporations in the arena of public health, and not tip it further towards corporations and their lobbyists in our nation’s capital. 

Sincerely,
Bradley H. Boe
Rosendale, Mo.