Freedom of speech
Freedom of Speech – This is an expression that is used in the 1st Amendment of the Constitution, which 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.
While the phrase “freedom of speech” in the 1st Amendment clearly intends to permit a free flow of ideas, without restriction, it should be understood that politicians and other powerful, entrenched interests often do not want people to criticize them or their policies or to support their opponents, and they would like to force their critics to sit down and shut up. That is why they pass laws trying to restrict the speech of their critics, often calling them “special interests” (see definition above).
The Supreme Court recently struck down a portion of the McCain-Feingold campaign finance restrictions that prevented corporations from any advertising that would favor or oppose a candidate on the basis that it violates the 1st Amendment, and President Obama was so upset about it that he attacked the decision and the Supreme Court in his State of the Union message. Given the way he has treated Fox News, the tea party folks, and anyone else who has disagreed with him, it is clear that he is not a big fan of freedom of speech. Neither is John McCain, whose name graces the McCain-Feingold anti-freedom-of-speech campaign finance law.
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