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.
Bill O'Reilly touched a bit on this last night. He said what's wrong with our country is the moral relativism and political correctness which has inculcated America, inculcated by the liberals. How true. If the Christians of this country would have been more active, more participatory, all along, instead of putting their heads in the sand, I dare say we would not now be at the crossroads we find ourselves. Too many people, including Christians, don't want to "make waves" or "offend" others---all to the detriment of their society and, eventually, their children and grandchildren. As Christians and Americans, it is our duty to pay attention to the issues, take action in the political arena by voting, and writing to our elected officials before those officials turn their votes into laws. Sadly, I know too many people who believe their voice is either ineffective or ignored. Apathy is the socialist's power.
If he signs anything else it will not only be "read my lips" 24/7 on every news cast for the next 3 years, it is worse than that. Both are ally's and our enemies won't trust Bush at his word. Anything less than a veto can end up costing American lives.
Just answer me this. Are you or any close relatives or employers associated with the Bush White House, Bush staff, or the National Reublican Party being filled with liberals like the new Finance guy? In the interests of full disclosure, I state that I am not.
Somewhere in the past I recall Bush talking about "less self- government", seems to be the case.
I'll support that bill when the Clinton house in Chappaqua freezes over!
You bet!
Perhaps I'm wrong, but it seems to me that there is more politics going on in this bill than I can understand. I think both sides of the aisle know it'll NEVER get past SCOTUS. Someone's gonna drag it over there and they'll pitch it, and like not a 5-4 decision either. Just my own "gut" feel you understand?? :o)
Remember how he suppressed calls from social conservatives angry at Dubya's nomination of the Massachusetts governor who brought explicit gay sex ed to that state's middle schools to be our ambassador to Canuckistan?
No wonder so many social conservatives now openly refer to him as "Mush."
I am called an "activist" merely because I am interested in our form of government, express my opinions when there is injustice, and engage with my elected officials by calling or writing (equally critical or with approval). They need feedback. People laugh at me for this---believing it is ineffective and useless, that my one little voice means nothing. I refuse to accept this. If my refusal labels me as an "activist," so be it. I have done my part, fulfilled my obligation to my children and country, despite others' refusal to fulfill their duties of citizenship. And when God questions us in the after life, I believe about many things, I at least can answer affirmatively, at least in this respect, that I've done my part to the best of my abilities in a service that was not selfish.
I’d think that’d be pretty appealing to you considering:
And so a lot of people say there's too much personal freedom. When personal freedom's being abused, you have to move to limit it.
-- Bill Clinton, President of the United States, on MTV's "Enough Is Enough."
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