Why do Democrats seem to favor clearly freedom-squelching policies: Fairness Doctrine/ Freedom of Choice Act?

Because they can't win on the strength of their arguments. They can't win on the facts. They can't win on philosophy. They've tried, but history has proven them wrong time and time again. So what do totalitarians do when they can't convince otherwise? They force others to shut up. Except you can squelch ideas entirely.