Get Tough On Crime By Making More Crimes

South Carolina has a recently passed law on the books called the Subversive Activities Registration Act.

Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize, require or establish censorship or to limit in any way or infringe upon freedom of the press or of speech as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and no regulation shall be promulgated hereunder having that effect.

The terms of this chapter do not apply to any labor union or religious, fraternal or patriotic organization, society or association, or their members, whose objectives and aims do not contemplate the overthrow of the government of the United States, of this State or of any political subdivision thereof by force or violence or other unlawful means.

Every subversive organization and organization subject to foreign control shall register with the Secretary of State on forms prescribed by him within thirty days after coming into existence in this State. Every member of a subversive organization, or an organization subject to foreign control, every foreign agent and every person who advocates, teaches, advises or practices the duty, necessity or propriety of controlling, conducting, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States, of this State or of any political subdivision thereof by force or violence or other unlawful means, who resides, transacts any business or attempts to influence political action in this State, shall register with the Secretary of State on the forms and at the times prescribed by him.

...

Any organization or person who violates any of the provisions of this chapter shall, upon conviction thereof, be punished by a fine of not more than twenty-five thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than ten years, or by both fine and imprisonment.

Essentially the law defines a subversive as a person intent on "controlling, conducting, seizing or overthrowing the government of the United States, of this State or of any political subdivision thereof by force or violence or other unlawful means".

This law reminds me of the marijuana tax stamp laws passed by many states, one of which is South Carolina. If you're selling marijuana in South Carolina, not only is it illegal but you must purchase tax stamps for that marijuana. The tax is $3.50 per gram. Failure to purchase and affix said tax stamps to the marijuana you're selling can get you a $10,000 fine, mandatory payment of 100% of the tax that's due, and five years in prison.

And if you're part of a group of two or more people who want to overthrow the government, which is illegal, you must register your group or face a $25,000 fine and ten years imprisonment.

I'm sure that makes sense to somebody.