Fuck The Government - The First Amendment Is Vital To Our Fundamental Freedoms

Throughout the history of free society, nothing is as vital as free speech in preserving that freedom. It's the bedrock upon which democracies are built, the oxygen that fuels progress, and the shield that protects our most fundamental freedoms. From the quiet whispers of dissent to the thunderous roar of revolution, the ability to speak our minds, challenge authority, and share ideas without fear of reprisal has consistently proven to be the most potent force for change and justice.

Authoritarians fear free speech more than anything else. Because it gives the people the legal protection to say "no", the right to mock authority, and the ability to protest decisions they disagree with, it threatens their hold on power.

The title of this article is a demonstration of this right. Telling the government you disagree, that they’re wrong, that they deserve to be replaced in the next election, these are all crucial statements. Those in the government, making decisions over our lives, should feel ashamed when they let us down and should feel fear about losing their grip on power if they are unwilling or unable to uphold their oaths to us and the Constitution.

Brendan Carr, the current FCC chair, is using the completely fabricated justification of "public interest" to justify Nexstar's choice to stop carrying Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show, sparking Disney's disastrous decision to suspend the program.

However, in 2019, Brendan Carr disagreed. He claimed then that the FCC has no such mandate and that the government shouldn't be censoring speech. The hypocrisy of Republicans continues to be their most enduring quality.

To understand the profound importance of free speech, we need only look to the past, to a time when the very idea of self-governance was a radical notion, and the voices of the people were often stifled by tyrannical rule. Enter the Sons of Liberty, a secret society of American patriots who rose to prominence in the years leading up to the American Revolution.

The Sons of Liberty: A Voice Against Tyranny

The British Crown imposed heavy taxes and restrictive laws on its American colonies without their consent. While multiple tax laws were imposed upon the colonies, the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts are the ones we remember the most. Dissent against them was dangerous for colonists and could lead to fines and arrest. Groups like the Sons of Liberty understood that silence was a death knell for liberty.

These individuals were forced to meet in secret, so they could devise ways to counteract and resist. They organized protests, published pamphlets, and used their collective voices to articulate the grievances of the colonists. Their actions, fueled by the conviction that they had a right to speak freely and advocate for their rights, were instrumental in galvanizing public opinion and laying the groundwork for revolution.

Most importantly, everything they did was considered a crime by the British.

What did the Sons of Liberty fight for? At their core, they fought for self-determination, for the right of the American colonists to govern themselves and to have a say in the laws that affected their lives. This necessarily included the freedom to express their views, debate policies, and criticize the Crown without fear of imprisonment or worse. Their struggle was a testament to the idea that true freedom cannot exist when the speech of the people is suppressed.

Free Speech: The Cornerstones of Liberty

The legacy of the Sons of Liberty underscores why free speech is not just a nice-to-have, but an absolute necessity for protecting our fundamental freedoms:

1. A Check on Power: Free speech allows citizens to hold their governments accountable. When we can openly criticize policies, expose corruption, and demand transparency, those in power are less likely to abuse their authority. Without this mechanism, unchecked power can quickly devolve into tyranny.

2. The Marketplace of Ideas: Open dialogue and the free exchange of ideas are essential for progress. When all voices, even unpopular ones, can be heard, society benefits from a broader range of perspectives. This "marketplace of ideas" allows for vigorous debate, the challenging of assumptions, and ultimately, the discovery of truth and innovation.

3. Protecting Minority Voices: Free speech is particularly crucial for minority groups and those with dissenting opinions. In a world where the majority often dictates norms, the ability to speak out, advocate for one's rights, and challenge existing power structures is paramount for ensuring that all voices are heard and considered.

4. Informed Decision-Making: A well-informed populace is the cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Free speech, including a free press, ensures that citizens have access to diverse information, allowing them to make educated decisions about their leaders and the direction of their society.

5. Personal Autonomy and Dignity: Beyond its societal benefits, free speech is a fundamental aspect of individual autonomy and human dignity. The ability to express one's thoughts, beliefs, and identity is essential to being a complete and free individual.

6. Satire: One of the most important ways we can keep a check on power is through satire and comedy. Laughing at the absurdity of authoritarianism helps keep their constant "othering" in perspective. If they can keep us fighting amongst ourselves, it prevents us from putting the spotlight on their corruption and hypocrisy.

The Ongoing Battle

The cancellation of late-night comedy shows is not about ratings or "public interest". It's about protecting the powerful by preventing the people from having a critical voice in the face of oppression.

Comedy gives avenues to demand better from those in power and provides ways to point out when authority is extending itself beyond where it belongs. Government exists to protect the marginalized from those who would continue to abuse them, not to embolden the powerful into further exploiting the defenseless.

Free speech is the tool we use to keep that balance. Protect it.