Posted on 02/16/2002 7:27:55 AM PST by TLBSHOW
Today, ladies and gentlemen, you cannot shout "Freedom!" in a crowded election. That's what this phony campaign finance reform bill will mean if it becomes law, which is why there is a huge debate going on inside the Bush White House over whether the president should veto or sign the bill. It appears right now the president is going to sign the thing - and this is what's troubling.
Mr. President, remember the brilliant address you made to the nation explaining our course of action in fighting world terrorism? I say the same kind of approach is called for with this deceptively named campaign finance reform bill. You enjoy an amazing level of trust with the American people. They trust you. They believe in your honesty and integrity. You could explain to them just why this bill is unconstitutional, and why it ought not ever see the light of day. The First Amendment has just been amended here in wanton violation of the Constitution.
Folks, when John McCain was running for president in the Republican primary, I said, "If Russia passed a new law that restricted free speech and competitive elections in the way that the McCain-Feingold bill does, and then claimed it was reform, our state department and human rights groups would denounce it as repression of the Russian people. The New York Times and Washington Post editorial pages would rail against these efforts as anti-Democratic - which they are." This bill is un-American, wrong and against freedom, and I say this knowing that it would make me even more powerful than I am now. Think about that.
President Bush has demonstrated that he has the resolve and the courage and the principle to face down the evil of terrorism. He's shown that he is committed to doing what's right regardless of what the European Union, congressional Democrats or even the media has to say about it. He's doing the right thing. He's following his instincts. Well, let me suggest that this assault on the Bill of Rights requires no less resolve and courage by the president to prevent a severe blow to our liberty.
To me, this is gut-check time, Mr. President. One of the major reasons you were supported over McCain back in the primary season in the year 2000 was your stand against this very bill. Stand up for free speech. Veto this bill.
You heard wrong. That is not what he said. All of his announcements have been qualified.
Is he? so far I don't belive He's sid anything on this piece of excrement. I believe he's too good of a politician to let this thing get signed into law.
I could be wrong, but didn't Clinton veto a ban on partial birth abortion?
If my memory serves me correctly and this is true...I'd attribute Clinton's actions more to a pact with the devil than to anything close to a "political and personal spine"
Constitutionalists are apparently a fairly small fraction of the American electorate; neither Republicans nor Democrats think they're worth courting.
I predict no veto, just another mudrasslin' festival of mutual recriminations, accusations, and obfuscation.
Final score: Politicians..437...Constitution..0...:*(
And if A-R doesn't believe there are limits on freedom (libel, copyright infringement, etc.) then I invite him to visit the local movie house and yell "Fire!".
Unfortunately, I think W has painted himself into a corner on this one. I think it was a major mistake for him to indicate early on that he would sign the bill. He should simply have said what he is saying now- he'll decide when it reaches his desk. I'm sure he expected a majority of Republicans in congress to show some backbone, but I think he has found out what the moderates are made of (he should have known this after Jacka$$ Jim Jeffords jumped).
Veto this bill Mister President!
Politically, I think it would be best if it were filibustered in the Senate. It will bring up Daschle's "60 votes on bills I don't like" nonsense and it will look like a principled stand. That's why Bush isn't telegraphing what he will do. I think he will veto it, but he doesn't want it to get that far.
Next will be a bill curtailing people of certain religions from voting! .... then another preventing conservatives from assembling!
IT MUST END HERE!
I wrote my miscreant congrescritter Curt Weldon, 7th District, PA , who voted for this anti-constitutional bill, that he could not depend on my support for any office he sought in the future. Shame on him. I urge other 7th district voters to do likewise.
Let them know how you feel, before forced to resort to the bullet box!
White House email: president@whitehouse.gov
White House fax: 202-456-2461
Whie House switchboard: 202-456-1414
My email to the President:
Dear Mr. President,
I believe that your veto of HR 2356, the so-called "campaign finance reform" bill currently in Congress, is imperative should this false and dangerous legislation make it to your desk. Its proponents have labeled it with a feel-good title, giving cover to its details, which blatantly violate our First Amendment right to free speech. Those same proponents went so far as to acknowledge the unconstitutional elements of the bill during the House debate, yet passed it in spite of this. They added elements which merely serve their own grandstanding and political self-interest, while robbing the common citizen of their most basic Constitutional rights. It is a dangerous lie, and one which must go no further.
Undoubtedly there are many arguments to be made for and against a veto. Some may caution you against the political fallout resulting from such action. They may advise you to sign it into law, letting the US Supreme Court reject it on its blatant unconstitutionality. However, it is not the place of a strong leader to take the moral low road, and let the responsibility of upholding the US Constitution to someone else. You have shone as a leader since the day you took office, and it is your duty as that leader to act decisively on this issue. Contrary to what some may say, you will gain much in the eyes of the nation with your veto. You will be doing so in order to uphold the oath you swore to protect the US Constitution. You will be doing so to protect the rights and voting voice of the everyday citizen. And you will be upholding your promise to support true campaign finance reform, which this most assuredly is not.
Before exercising your veto, it is vital that you use this opportunity to address the nation, explaining in simple terms the details of this bill. Show them how it does nothing to improve campaign financing, and in fact makes it worse. Show them how it denies them the right to free speech, while empowering large organizations. Let everyone see it for what it is, a package of lies and restrictions cleverly disguised as "campaign finance reform." Then, let everyone once again see you for the leader that you are, taking decisive action with a veto which is in our nation's best interest.
Polls have shown that campaign finance reform is a low-priority item in the public's mind. Proponents of the bill have used this fact to sneak it through Congress. However, it is this same fact which will insure that the slight bit of negativity which may result from your veto will be small and short-lived, if it happens at all. On the contrary, I believe that the strength you show by stopping this abomination will gain, not lose, public opinion. You will again demonstrate the leadership you have shown consistently since taking office.
The issue is really quite simple. This bill does nothing for true campaign finance reform, and violates the most basic constitutional principles upon which our nation was founded. It not only is your duty to veto this abomination, it is the legal and moral right thing to do. When and if the time comes, please do so decisively for all our sakes.
Ditto.
Question, if X41 would have listened to one man he would have had a second term and we wouldn't have had to endure stained blue dresses etc., for a free cup of coffee who was that person?
Vice President Dan Quayle. What was the advice? Do not go back on your promise of no new taxes and don't except the Sununu/Darmin deal with Sen Majority Leader George Mitchell. He didn't listen and the rest is history.
GWB please do not go back on your guidelines that were what you wanted in a CFR package to be when this was floated over a year ago. Ari Flischer spelled them out, maybe he should do so again. Stick to your guns, do the right thing, not for your career but because it is the right thing to do.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.