Ted Cruz: These are the Fahrenheit 451 Democrats (Free Speech Ban, Video)

[DamianTV]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TVcOz94fAs

[Zippyjuan]

Bill in question was on campaign financing- not banning books. http://www.politico.com/story/2014/06/harry-reid-mitch-mcconnell-campaign-finance-amendment-senate-judiciary-107367.html


Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell offered sharply different visions of the Constitution on Tuesday as both sparred over a proposed amendment to limit the impact of money in politics.



Ted Cruz — the firebrand freshman senator and conservative darling — used the hearing as an opportunity to upbraid Democrats.

“When did elected Democrats abandon the Bill of Rights? Where did the liberals go?” Cruz (R-Texas) said in a brief opening statement.

“If this amendment passes, Congress can say, you the citizens are no longer citizens, you’re subjects. Because we’ve repealed the First Amendment and taken away your ability to speak,” Cruz said. He added: “I would note this amendment, if adopted, would give Congress the power to ban books and to ban movies.”

He added, referencing the author of the famous novel on book burning and censorship “Fahrenheit 451”: “Ray Bradbury would be astonished.”


A proposed Constitutional amendment like this must pass both houses, be signed by the President and be ratified by two thirds of all states. A tough haul for any bill.

Cruz proposed adding restrictions onto media as well as corporations.

http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/379450/ted-cruz-senate-dems-restrictions-free-speech-should-apply-new-york-times-joel-gehrke


With Senate Democrats pushing a constitutional amendment that would allow Congress to regulate campaign spending, Senator Ted Cruz countered by proposing a bill that would require media corporations to abide by any of the Democratic restrictions on political speech passed pursuant to the amendment.

“Nothing in this amendment is limited to corporations or billionaires,” Cruz said Tuesday during a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the constitutional proposal. “This amendment, if adopted, would give Congress absolute authority to regulate the political speech of every single American with no limitations whatsoever. This amendment is about power and it is about politicians silencing the citizens.”


As an alternative to the Democratic campaign-finance proposals, Cruz also filed a bill that eliminate super PACs by getting rid of limits on direct contributions to candidates, with the proviso that all donations over $200 must be disclosed within 24 hours.