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.
VETO IT AND SEND IT TO THE ASH BIN OF HISTORY
After Enron, now's the time to shout for campaign reform. If there ever was any doubt that campaign contributions buy special access and favors from elected officials, there is no longer. Enron would never have been able to cheat its employees and investors, nor would its accounting firm, Arthur Andersen, have been able to cook Enron's books, without the protection they bought from politicians of both parties.
What's more disgusting about the gutless wonders....most of the Republican senators didn't stand against Clinton after he was impeached by the House and vote him out of office. They truly are gutless wonders.
You can find the story here. As long as there are threads all over FR suggesting that the President should veto this sucker because it curtails free speech (and yes, I agree he should), I don't think there's anything untoward about reposting the quote.
No less resolve than what?
I know-that's what scares me. You can get the audio here:
http://www.rtmark.com/bush.html
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