by David Dewitt

Created on: August 20, 2008

The freedom of speech serves as the bedrock for all of our fundamental freedoms. Without the freedom to be able to speak, express our opinions or ideals, we would lose the remainder of our freedoms as well.

If the freedom of speech is taken away then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter. George Washington

What does the Freedom of Speech do for us?

Freedom of Speech Empowers
Our Founding Fathers saw the right to speak against the tyranny of the British government as something that was their human right. Our country has been based on this principle, because words matter and they make a difference.

There is a fundamental power in words. Words are vessels of more than just thoughts or ideas, they instruments of power. Many people forget the fact that their words have the power to build others up or tear others down. The freedom of speech empowers people to rise above their circumstances and stand for what is right.

Speech is power: speech is to persuade, to convert, to compel. It is to bring another out of his bad sense into your good sense. Ralph Waldo Emerson

Words have the power to compel, convince, convict, convey and convert. Without the freedom of speech, we would be in many ways, powerless against the bonds of oppression. Speech gives each person power, whether they use it or not is their own choice.

With power also comes the responsibility to use it for the good of others. We have the right to speak as we wish, does not make saying anything we wish right. Just because you have the right to speak your mind, does not make it always the right thing to do. Through words we have power and without the freedom of speech much of powerful freedom would be stripped away.

Freedom of Speech Exposes
The power of our words exposes our deeper thought life and our inner motives. Our freedom of speech will reveal who we really are. Our words and the way that we use them will reveal our true self. I have heard many times people say, "I'd like to give them a piece of my mind." We have the right to expose of frustrations, fears, faults and failures. It is a right that we far too often take for granted.

I have always been among those who believed that the greatest freedom of speech was the greatest safety, because if a man is a fool the best thing to do is to encourage him to advertise the fact by speaking. Woodrow Wilson

Our words show if we are wise or foolish, courageous or cowards and chaotic or calm. The freedom to speak as we wish gives us the ability to show something of ourselves. Why would we write articles, give speeches or hold discussions with other people, if we did wish to give something of ourselves away?

Freedom of Speech Expresses
The freedom of speech grants us the freedom of expression. There are many countries that; do not want their people to express their thoughts and opinions. We are free to write and express our thoughts, opinions and feelings that others may or may not agree with. This fundamental freedom led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Look at what Benjamin Franklin said about the Freedom of Speech: "Without Freedom of thought, there can be no such Thing as Wisdom; and no such thing as public Liberty, without Freedom of speech"

If we ever loose the right and the ability to speak freely, the remainder of our freedoms will be in jeopardy. All of the other freedoms, that we hold dear, find their roots in the fact that we have the right to speak freely. Without the freedom of speech we would never truly be free.

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