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Wednesday, September 10, 2014

Oily gasbag-- good description for Ted Cruz

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Ted Cruz: Citizens United amendment would end 'Saturday Night Live'
By Joan McCarter, September 10, 2014

Is there anyone on the Saturday Night Live crew that is oily enough to impersonate this gasbag?
Sen. Ted Cruz says the comedy of NBC’s “Saturday Night Live” is at risk and creator Lorne Michaels could be thrown in jail if a proposed Constitutional amendment on campaign finance is passed.

“Congress would have the power to make it a criminal offense, Lorne Michaels could be put in jail under this amendment for making fun of any politician. That is extraordinary. It is breathtaking and it is dangerous,” the Texas Republican argued on the Senate floor on Tuesday, with a board of stills from the late-night sketch show displayed behind him.
His argument is based on the fact that "NBC which airs Saturday Night Live, is a corporation." So because it's a corporation, Cruz asserts, its political speech would be subject to the law. Which is, of course, bullshit. What SNL does to lampoon politicians is actual political speech. What the Kochs, for example, do is undermine democracy by throwing unlimited amounts of money into campaigns to buy lawmakers who will do their bidding.

What this amendment would do is allow Congress to regulate the raising and spending of money. Contra the Supreme Court and Cruz, making fun of a politician on national TV and spending unlimited amounts of money without disclosure is not the same thing.

The Senate continues debate on this amendment Wednesday and will have a voice vote to move the bill forward to a final vote, which is expected Thursday.

Please send a personalized email to your senators, asking them to vote yes on repealing Citizens United.
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