What the 1st Amendment Means

Over two centuries ago, the founders of our nation decided it was necessary to expand on our Constitution. The idea that we are all created with certain inalienable rights was great, but they knew better. They seemed to foresee days like these where our rights could be interpreted by the Government. The Bill of Rights was conceived because of this, and was purposefully to the point and simple to avoid confusion. The actual text says that "Congress shall make no law...abridging the freedom of speech..." Pretty simple. The letter of the law says exactly what it means. The Government can not simply come out and tell you what you can not say. The spirit of the law seems to be lost on many these days.

One of the pivotal and new ideas in our Bill of Rights was the concept of being able to challenge the Government. That is also why the Second Amendment exists. The right for Americans to protest and show dissenting views without reprisal is a major key to our freedom. Our Constitution also affords equal protection under the law. That means that when groups organize protests outside of political events calling American soldiers war criminals can not complain when groups protest a Government health care system. This also means that our Government and its representatives can not condone actions by some political groups while condemning others. The only exception to freedom of speech is when the views expressed cause implicit harm to a person or group of people. People overly worked up and concerned about the health care bill are hardly causing harm to anybody. Our Senators verbally attacking health care protesters is as distasteful as condemning the Freedom Riders protecting our heroes during their funerals.

I do not care what side of the political aisle you are on. Our freedoms are at risk today. Even if you disagree with your neighbor on health care, at least have the decency to agree with them that they are absolutely in their right to disagree with your viewpoint. I will argue with anybody over the merits of the current legislation. What I will not do is condemn anybody for expressing a viewpoint other than my own. Congress would be wise to remember the golden rules of some wiser generations that came before us.

-Patriot