Another really important aspect in life is being about to express ourselves. Every human needs to express themselves. If we didn’t have that freedom we would be all walking zombies controlled by the government! We can choose which party we want to be with republic or democratic. We can write anything we please. (That would be a big bummer for authors if we didn’t have this right.)
Hamilton: “What is the Liberty of the press? Who can give it and definition which would not leave the utmost latitude for evasion? I hold it to be impracticable; and from this, I infer, that its security, whatever fine declarations may be inserted in and constitution respecting it, must altogether depend on public opinion, and on the general spirit of the people and of the government, And here, after all, as intimated upon another occasion, must we seek for the only solid basis of all our rights.”
Hamilton can really describe what being able to express you self in press means. It is very important to be able to also express what you want to say. “Everyday in the United States, several judicial cases are brought up by individuals and groups asking the courts to protect their freedom of expression guaranteed to them under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the country.” As you can tell we need our freedom of expression daily!
The Government is supposed to let people express themselves without constraint. The 1st Amendment 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.” It clearly states there that the congress can not take our freedom to exercise what we believe. I am so happy that we have the privilege and right to express what and how we want. In some countries they are deprived of this right. For and example, in North Korea the government controls the press and the right of speech. People are severely punished when the go against or disagree with the government. For another example from an internet reference it said, “No person may be compelled to take any oath contrary to their beliefs.” The United States is very lucky to have our 1st Amendment. In conclusion, the government should let people express themselves without constraint or abridging them.
The 1st amendment is probably the best part of the constitution. It allows us simple and yet vital rights. They allow us to have freedom of religion, speech, the press, the freedom to assemble, and to petition the government. Not to mention it gives us our independence. It says in the book American History: “The First Amendment is probably the best known and most cherished part of the Bill of Rights. It protects five basic freedoms that are essential to the American way of life: freedom of religion, speech, the press, assembly, and to petition the government.” It is very important to have the 1st amendment because it lets us first; have our independence, second, the right to express ourselves, and last the government lets people express themselves without constraint. I just hope that you remember that the 1st Amendment is what we should be very grateful for in our lives.
Laura Willden & Becca Burnett
Period B3
September, 18, 2003
