[jellicle]

> seems obvious to me that such a law would have a dramatically chilling effect

Why would that seem obvious to you? Are you in the habit of lying about politicians in order to influence elections? Do you believe most people are?

If you believe few people lie in this context, then there's not much chilling effect. And if you believe a lot of people lie in this context, it would seem that the law would be sorely needed.

[MarkPNeyer]

> And if you believe a lot of people lie in this context, it would seem that the law would be sorely needed.

can you explain why a law against lying would stop people from lying? Feel free to use examples such as the wildly successful america experiment with prohibition, or perhaps the ongoing wars on drug and terrorism to prove your point.

[DerpDerpDerp]

I believe politicians will claim that unfavorable facts are lies, placing the burden of proofs and costs of defense on me, even though they're the ones lying.