The Importance Of Free Speech

     Since this country was founded, we have had a set of unalienable rights that our constitution guarantees us to as Americans. One of the most important rights that is mentioned in our constitution is the right to free speech. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the

Being expression one of the most important rights of the people to maintain a connected society right to speech should be accepted to do so. The first amendment is one of the most fundamental rights that individuals have. It is fundamental to the existence of democracy and the respect of human dignity. This amendment describes the principal rights of the citizens of the United States. If the citizens were unable to criticize the government, it would be impossible to regulate order. By looking freedom of speech there is also freedom of assembly and freedom of press that are crucial for the United States democracy.

The freedom of speech is one of the most precious rights that the United States citizens have. Unlike many other countries, the United States citizens have the freedom to speak their minds and to give their opinions on anything as long as it is done in a peaceful manner without having any fear of governmental retaliation. “The First Amendment guarantees our right to free expression and free association, which means that the government does not have the right to forbid us from saying what we like and writing what we like.” This does not mean that a person can say whatever he or she wants to say, but rather that a person’s right to say something is protected within certain limits.

The First Amendment of the constitution is the most significant political statement in the history of the United States. The ability to speak freely is a value that is cherished by most American citizens. In many countries around the world, people are sent to prison, or even executed, for expressing opinions not shared by the government. In the United States, any government official, no matter how powerful, must abide by the opinions of the people, even when those opinions are brutal, or even unfair. Free speech is probably the best known and most revered of our constitutional rights in the U.S., but it not always easy to define what exactly is speech. As humans, we have many ways of expressing our thoughts, opinions, and beliefs. Especially, since we are part of an innovative society that is constantly evolving.

"The First Amendment states, “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.” I am a strong supporter of free speech. Often times I am in complete disagreement with what is being said, but I realize others have just as much right as me to share their thoughts and opinions. If they are stifled, I will be also.

An important thing to know about freedom of speech is it does not actually protect anything we want to say. However freedom of speech is something that the United States holds high. The first amendment of our constitution is one of the most important amendments we have to protect us. The first amendment gives us the right to free speech with very few limits. Even though this may not be the best policy it is important we protect any speech so long as it is not harming anyone. The constitution says “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. (Madison)” This is saying that the freedom of speech is protected by the constitution and congress cannot make laws to limit anything covered by freedom

Free speech is the backbone that holds democracy together.  Without a free speech, ideas would not be challenged, governments would not be kept in check, and citizens would not be free.  John Stuart Mill said once that, “If all mankind minus one were of one opinion, and only one person were of the contrary opinion, mankind would be no more justified in silencing that one person then he, if he had the power, would be justified in silencing mankind.”( Roleff, 21). The right to free speech is essential to “egalitarian democracy,”(Tsesis) however, this right is not absolute and must be limited in certain situations.

There are several examples that show that freedom of speech is not equally free. In the Ward Churchill case, Ward was fired from the University of Colorado after writing that the U.S. foreign policy abuses were a partial cause of 9/11. He was fired for research misconduct. The American Council of Trustees and Alumni enlisted the government to put pressure on the university to fire him. This proves that the government still feels that freedom of speech should be restrained during war times, even though the law that was enacted for this was abolished. This type of suppression is not right. The opinions of people who are not hurting anyone directly should not be punished. Therefore, freedom of speech is not absolute.

I am writing this letter with concern to two of the amendments written on the US constitution.

Ah, the freedom of speech. Outlined in our nation’s Constitution and considered one of the most fundamental of all human rights, it gives us the ability to express ourselves without government interference, restraint, or suppression (“Freedom of Speech: An Overview”). Free speech is practiced by all types of American citizens, from the teenage girl posting a picture of a Starbucks cup on Instagram to the riled adult handing out fliers for a political cause. Every form of expression, ranging from the frivolous to the meaningful and the agreeable to the controversial, is protected by this significant and irreplaceable liberty. With this in mind, freedom of speech should surely be guaranteed in all corners of our nation.

When the Bill of Rights was first passed it was intended to protect individual rights so that Congress couldn’t freely make laws that hurt the citizens of a state. The first Amendment says, “Congress shall make no law…abridging the freedom of speech…” putting a limit on government power but when our founding fathers were creating the Bill of Rights they did not realize what giving the people full freedom to speak meant. Years later when America was vulnerable to a war with France people started speaking out in favor of the French so in 1798 President John Adams passed the Sedition Act. According to the Constitutional Rights Foundation, the Sedition Act was “a law restricting freedom of speech” because at that time they needed the people to stop going against the government and trust them to protect their rights but instead the people started speaking out in a harsh

speech really is. Free speech gives people the ability to express your political, scientific, artistic,

Every individual in society has the right to the freedom of speech and this is guaranteed by the Declaration of Human Rights.

Why should it be restricted? People have a right to say whatever they want to say. No one has the right to stop them. Sometimes the world may not like some of the opinions people voice, or the words that they use, but this is absolutely no reason to have the government trample people's natural rights. What about it needs to be restricted? Freedom of speech can help the world change. But like BIG said “we can’t change the world unless we change ourselves”. For example, how can a preacher have the right to express/voice his opinion about some but the congregation can’t. Maybe that’s a bad example ha-ha but you get what I’m trying to say. Where can it be restricted at? It can be restricted in the White House. Presidents don’t realize how powerful there tongue is. Like for instance Donald Trump dissing Steph like that come on man you’re the president. As much as I dislike Steph, the way he handle it people couldn’t do nothing but respect him. It’s probably so much going on in that place with Trump. But see now this comes back to things that we have no control over its done now he’s the man in charge either get with it or get gone. Just have to pray that he doesn’t make a decision that he’ll regret. Who should restrict it? If they were to be restricted the president should be the first to do so. Donald

Free speech should not be restricted.  The first amendment gives the right for anyone to say whatever he or she wants, whenever they want and guarantees us the privilege to speak our minds without limitations.   Our right to free speech is one thing that sets the United States apart from any other country.  Since September 11, 2001 all