Freedom of Speech

...

This coincides with what Karl Marx claims that in a capitalist usage, freedom of the press means freedom of the rich to bribe the press, freedom to use their wealth to shape and fabricate so-called public opinion. To him the capitalists have always used the term “freedom” to mean freedom for the rich to get richer and for the workers to starve to death.

We all can agree to disagree and that is the beauty of freedom. Karl Marx stressed that freedom means the freedom to disagree and without fear of reprisal or censure. He also added that openness activates and enhances the public mind. A free press for Marx must be engaged in uncovering real social, political and economic conditions that exist in order to increase the mass of population’s understanding of their world and their confidence to challenge it. Marx regarded freedom of the press as an indispensable premise for the people’s collaboration in shaping its own fate, as an essential instrument for deciding its own destiny. He described the free press as the watchful eye of the people.

Fundamentally speaking, no one is in the wrong when it comes to freedom of expression in this matter. Whether it is proponents for kneeling during the National Anthem or the individual's voicing their disdain for it, everyone is entitled to their own opinions and biases. How people interpret is totally subjective and up to that individual. This is the beauty of the First Amendment, we can agree to disagree.

Our founding fathers created this country with the belief that everyone’s opinion should count equally. They knew that this structure would be the most fair and efficient means of hearing each citizen’s voice, while still allowing for a capitalist economy. One belief which had a strong influence on the way the constitution was written is that the proper role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal things. We must not forget to appreciate the freedoms that we have, including and especially our freedom of speech.