From: Bob Hyde [robert_hyd@msn.com]
Sent: Friday, September 13, 2002 11:51 AM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: commercial speech

   Commercial Speech does not deserve US Constitutional protection.  Just because tobacco and pharmaceutical industries have made huge soft money contributions to Republicans, they are NOT entitled to the same First Amendment protections that real people enjoy.
   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, and so cannot talk back.
   Restrictions on the advertising of tobacco, alcohol, gambling and pharmaceuticals are essential for protecting public health.  Of all the problems facing our country, insufficient advertising of cigarettes, liquor, etc. is not one of them.

Robert Hyde
Utica, NY