The Issue Is The First Amendment Despite What You May Have Heard

The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy!

 

H. L. Mencken, Notes on Democracy, 1926

 

There has been much commentary related to the recent Supreme Court ruling which upheld the right to freedom of speech for a high school cheerleader.

In overly broad strokes, the teenager in question was not selected for the cheerleading squad. She took to her social media platforms to express her displeasure, in the unique way teenagers can express themselves, and heavy on the epithets. The school discovered her posts and decided to impose sanctions on her.

She was off the campus at the time, and many commentators opted to base their opinions on what students have a right to say depending on whether they are on the school’s clock or their own.

 

The Madison Conservative finds such perspectives absurd.

 

There are many societal aspects to this story.  Should a 14-year-old be suspended for what used to be called ‘flipping the bird’ in a photo and posting it online? Should a 14-year-old be suspended from school for adding a ‘f-this, f-that’ caption to the photo? Does a school have a right to monitor its student’s social media posts?

 

The Madison Conservative, an unabashed proponent of the United States Constitution, answers these questions with an unequivocal and resounding NO. Student conduct, in and out of school, is the realm and responsibility of the parents or guardians.

 

None of these issues however are of our concern. What troubles us is that the case was even brought to court, let alone the Supreme Court.

 

As we have written on previous occasions, the freedom of speech is absolute. We do not ascribe to the beliefs of those who expound the theory that freedom of speech does not allow someone to yell fire in a theater. Of course, one can do so. As a society, however, we have opted to exact a steep price to be paid for such conduct.

It is a warning sign that every American must not ignore. Consider for a moment the implications of surrendering your freedom of speech to a governmental authority, which a school actually is. Should you be fired for posting how your boss didn’t give you a raise? The internet is repleat with platforms which allow you to comment on your experience at a particular restaurant. Should the restaurant be allowed to sue foor damages because the steak was overcooked and the broccoli soft and squishy?

 

While interesting as a concept, our concern is that such arguments are becoming accepted as the new normal. The political left purports to support the Constitution, as long as you do not, in any way, question their orthodoxy.

The right to free speech is not a question of degree. The axiom used to be that I may disagree with every fiber of my being what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

That statement is the definition and expectation of a healthy first amenmdment. Discussing a 14-year olds right to be an angry 14-year-old signals a worrisome trend for every citizen.

 

Say that which you believe, and allow the opposing voice to be heard with equal respect as yours. They may be wrong, but their right to say it is absolute. Debating that point means no American is safe.

As noted, the corollary issues have their merit, but do not lose sight of the reality the issue is about the first amendment, despite what you may have heard.

Solipsistic Representation

 

The cure for the evils of democracy is more democracy!

 

H. L. Mencken, Notes on Democracy, 1926

 

The framers of the United States Constitution had a very specific vision for the nation they had hope to create.

 

The Constitution speaks repeatedly of the rights of the individual, and the responsibilities of those elected to serve the folks back home in their respective districts.

 

Simply put, the elected representatives had a responsibility to be the voice of their constituents in all matters brought before the national legislature. The founders believed it to be of the highest honor to serve, and that if fortunate enough to be chosen to serve, the Congress would honorably fulfill their oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution.

 

The reasons are multitude and better left to another forum to discuss, but it is becoming troubling that the concept of representative government is taking a bit of a beating these days.

 

There has been a generally accepted belief that in generations past, the government was assembled to include our best and brightest, experienced voices who agreed on the goals, but merely disagreed on how best to get there.

 

Today it is apparent we have sent to Washington a cross section of the most aggrieved and narcissistic group of citizens in our history. The concept of “E PLURIBUS UNUM” – from many one, has descended and devolved to something more along the lines of a spoiled child who did not get the dessert that they wanted. More and more members of the House and Senate can be seen before a bank of microphones addressing how almost anything has affected them personally, and how the nation must act to soothe and bind their wounded psyches.  Necessary national discussions on race, for example, are no longer encouraged, but silenced by a congressman with a sad tale of their personal experiences.

 

Please note: we are not dismissing such incidents, but rather asking said congressman to hop off the pity party soapbox and go do something about it.

 

This nation is not a true democracy. A true democracy would have every citizen voting on every piece of legislation. We are a democratic republic. We elect fellow citizens to act on our behalf. That concept is fading quickly and being replaced by individuals with personal axes to grind. We have allowed the voice of the people to be hijacked by unqualified people using their position as a feedback squealing megaphone.

 

America is best when we are a choir. Many voices, all working together to achieve a common goal.

 

Imagine the Hallelujah Chorus with a few singers who feel entitled to schreech out of tune, shrill solos.

 

We would demand a refund of our ticket if presented with such a performance.

 

The American electorate must demand at least the same from their elected representatives. There is no place for entitled soloists in the choir of America.

 

Many, many different voices? Absolutely.

 

But untalented solos?

 

No thank you. Here’s your gold watch. Please enjoy your retirement while a fresh voice takes your place.

 

In capitalist terms, Congress must understand that the citizenry is the profit, elected officials are the overhead. No business would allow overhead to whine to profit. The business would surely fail.

 

We ask that the next time your experience the lamentations of a member of Congress, see what they have done to better such situations for those who elected them.

 

That will no doubt tell the true tale of things.