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"Government officials have not been delegated the "power to punish private citizens who don't do what they are asked"."

I would point to the DOJ lawsuits against Microsoft when Bill Gates wouldn't donate money to the Democrats. I would point to the IRS audits of Bill O'Reilly and The Heritage Foundation. Power to abuse citizens isn't "delegated," but the power to direct Government agencies to harass and abuse citizens is used nevertheless. But you know that and you can't possibly believe otherwise. And that is why Government Officials should not be "asking" "private citizens," or "retailers" to "ban" things that are Constitutional, such as books, that those same officials find offensive. Would you state that these elected officials would be within of their Constitutional rights to start "asking" "private citizens" or "retailers" to "ban" sales of the Bible?

Government officials have not been delegated the power to punish private citizens who don't do what they are asked. Cite such delegated power.

I would point to the DOJ lawsuits against Microsoft when Bill Gates wouldn't donate money to the Democrats. I would point to the IRS audits of Bill O'Reilly and The Heritage Foundation.

I'm well aware of what you mention but I asked for delegated power.

Power to abuse citizens isn't "delegated," but the power to direct Government agencies to harass and abuse citizens is used nevertheless.

Such abuse of power is legally wrong. See the checks and balances of the Constitution. Abusive politicians can be voted out of office; Abusive politicians can be impeached; and abusive politicians can be prosecuted for breaking laws.

All of that being a perfect deterrent? Of course not.

Look. The Jersey girls are free to say the wrong things that they say; Ann Coulter is free to call the Jersey girls on it; Book store owners are free to sell or not sell Ann Coulters books and airhead Jersey pols are free to advocate boycotts.

That's the what the first Amendment means.

If we disagree, fine.