Conservative voices on social media have approached the topic of the TikTok ban with extreme caution, pointing out that Congress appears intent on regulating a Chinese-controlled social media app but has done little to intervene when the foreign adversary buys American farmland or unleashes a wave of violence. pandemic.
For a body often known for working slowly to achieve even the smallest of accomplishments, Congress moved rather quickly in pushing for a TikTok ban.
On Thursday, the House Energy and Commerce Committee voted unanimously in favor of a bill that could lead to the blocking of TikTok in the United States.
The entire House voted 352-65 in a bipartisan manner Tuesday to pass the bill.
RELATED: Nikki Haley Ridiculed for Saying Watching TikTok Videos Makes You ‘17% More Anti-Semitic’ Every 30 Minutes
Ban on moving quickly on TikTok: ask yourself why?
While the debate over whether to ban TikTok has raged after years of banter and talk, it is a remarkably swift action considering other China-related concerns that have yet to be addressed.
One has to wonder why there is a sense of urgency on this particular topic. Conservative social media personalities have openly questioned this.
One of the most popular accounts on X, Catturd, pointed out the many things regarding China that Congress has essentially done Nothing From.
“China has spread a virus to the world – Congress does nothing,” they write. “China controls over 90% of drugs, Congress does nothing. Everything you buy in the United States says “made in China” – Congress does nothing.”
“Ask yourself: Why does Congress, which has let China run roughshod over us for years, suddenly want to do something but only for a social media app?”
It should be noted that the Chinese government’s COVID-19 Accountability Act was introduced in the House on March 26, 2020. It was introduced again on January 31, 2023.
The bill was introduced by Representative Gregory Steube (R-FL). The goal is to “request reimbursement from the People’s Republic of China for funds made available by the United States government to address the coronavirus disease.”
It was referred to the House Foreign Affairs Committee and had only 11 co-sponsors in its 2020 form. And it was referred to that committee again in 2023, but now has no co-sponsors.
It didn’t go anywhere.
Yet TikTok. Moved to ban. Less than 4 business days later.
RELATED: AOC Uses China-Linked Tik-Tok to Celebrate Tucker Carlson Firing, Censorship: ‘De-platforming Works’
What is it really about?
There are certainly myriad legitimate concerns related to TikTok and its Chinese Communist Party (CCP) associations.
Lawmakers from both parties have said that Chinese tech company ByteDance’s alleged ownership of TikTok (which appears to be in dispute) opens its millions of American users to data collection by the CCP.
But this is the same Congress that has repeatedly allowed – and many have called for – almost unlimited unconstitutional spying on the American people by the alphabet agencies. So, once again, they do Truly are you interested in espionage? Clearly not.
Additionally, it should raise red flags that both Democrats and Republicans are on board with the TikTok ban. Usually, such a coalition means that they are not on the side of the Americans but have an ulterior motive. See Ukraine, for example.
Do conservatives really agree with Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer?
Are we ready to give up more freedom?
Former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard suggests the rapid push to ban TikTok is more about controlling the flow of information. She also warns that she could open Pandora’s box.
“The TikTok ban is not about TikTok. Don’t be fooled. These are politicians who have the power to decide what thoughts, ideas and information Americans can hear and see,” he said on X.
“Will we, the American people, willingly give up our freedom in the name of security?”
We got a glimpse of how lawmakers and social media worked together to control the flow of information in 2020. Reasonable interpretations of COVID were labeled “conspiracy theories” and suppressed.
China couldn’t have been happier to watch all this.
Comedian Larry “The Cable Guy” also weighed in and noted that the American government, which loves to spy on its own people, is apparently dismayed by the competition.
“Today the House voted to force the Chinese owners of TikTok to sell the company because they don’t want them spying on our children,” he said. “They want one Our companies to take over so that an American company can spy Our children.”
The problem, as always, is the slippery slope the government loves to slide down. If they can ban TikTok due to questionable ties to outside entities, could Elon Musk’s X also suffer the same fate?
How long do you think it will take Democrats to find a connection between Elon Musk and a supporter in another country?
Will those bans come soon after?
The vote to ban TikTok now moves to the Senate where its prospects are less clear.
Now is the time to support and share the sources you trust.
The Political Insider ranks #3 on Feedspot’s “100 Best Political Blogs and Websites.”