The Right to Speak Out
When the framers of our Constitution were writing it, why do you think the First Amendment of the Constitution was the Freedom of Speech? Could the reason have had something to do with the fact that under British rule many of them had suffered great loss of freedom and property because they didn't have the freedom to criticize government policy under British rule? I think so. That's one of the beautiful things about America. The ability to Speak Out against policy you don't agree with, without the threat of jail or loss of property. It was on the top of the list of "most important issues" when written into our constitution, or it wouldn't have been the First Amendment. All of democracy hinges on the freedom of speech, without it, you can't have democracy.
You're probably wondering why I'm writing about this, right? Over the years I've seen bumper stickers, editorials, and even guestbook comments on my own website from people that say things like "America, Love it or Leave it." When Someone criticizes government policy, does that mean they don't love their country? I don't think so. You think I'm bad, criticizing drug laws, etc. Go sit in on a session of Congress, all they deal with is government policy, and they argue their asses off about it. So, what I'm trying to say is, don't think myself, or any of the contributers of writings on this site, don't love our country because we criticize some government policies.
If you feel we are wrong to state our opposition to policies we don't agree with, or we don't believe we have the greatest country in the free world, you are wrong.
We Believe in the Constitution as it was Written. Rusty |
