Do You Believe People Should Have the Right to Question the Government?

Question

If not, why not? Explain the relation between this idea and the Constitution's first amendment.

If so, should there be any limitations? Should there be further Constitutional amendments to limit speech in given circumstances, such as during time of war?

Answer 1

Darned right we do. My ancestors who fought in the American Revolution would roll over in their graves if they knew that anyone is even questioning this right.

The worst case of "time of war" we had was the Civil War, when major battles were fought on our own soil--when in one day, over 20,000 lives were lost in one battle (Antietam). Don't see that any Constitutional amendments curtailing freedom of speech were made then--don't need them now.

Answer 2

Questioning out of a genuine wish to know where the country is going is OK. So is showing disagreement, as long as its done tastefully and out of your best intent for the nation that you've stood behind. Showing disagreement distastefully and/or because you hate America are different entirely.

I believe there already have been measures to limit speech and other freedoms in times of war, but as with every measure of that nature, when the war in question is over so too is the restriction. Look at Lincoln's suspension of Habeas Corpus, and the government authorization during World War II of reading mail sent to soldiers.

Neither are in use today.

Answer 3

There is no free society without the freedom to express your ideas and opinions openly. Open disagreement with the government can be constructive, if the disagreement is intended to be constructive rather than destructive. However, the first amendment has been so abused that it is thought to mean you can express yourself in any manner without retribution.

The first amendment today is used to allow the press to print classified materials, for instance. If you or I published such materials, or leaked secrets to foreign governments, many of those same publications would demand our execution.

Is there a difference in time of war. In a way, yes. There is a fine line between opposition and treason. When I returned from Viet Nam, a number of us were called baby killers, spit at and had garbage thrown at us by about 50 to 60 sign carrying hippies. Was that 'freedom of speech"? I was drafted. I did what my country demanded of me. Should their rights have been protected above my personal safety while returning home from 13 months in hell? Should I have been allowed to rip off one of their maggot infested heads as an expression of my right to free speech?...... or do the protections of free speech only apply to liberals, and not to conservatives?

Answer 4

Absolutely!!!To be true to the spirit of the experiment that is the United States political system of democracy, people should have the right and accept the responsibility to question the government. If government is supposed to represent the people, the people must ensure government is truely representional. This can be done by scrutinizing government actions, lack of actions, spending, decision making etc. and speaking out about the good and the bad.

Answer 5

Yes we do have the right to question our government, the government derives it's power from the people and our nation was founded by those who questioned the British government. America comoonly has susspoeded this right during war like lincoln during the civil war and wilson during WWI

Answer 6

Of course. The government is the people's voice in a democracy. A recall vote should not only be an option, it should
be a requirement with activities like those of the crime boss Bush. He should be impeached and hung in a public forum as viciously as Saddam's billion dollar murder on Bush's instructions.

Bush has maimed, murdered and caused the deaths of hundreds of thousands in the USA, Afghanistan, Iraq and other countries. That is inexcusable and why capital punishment in
the USA makes good sense selectively.

Answer 7

No. The Bill of rights was called by our Founding Father's and the First continental Congress either our Natural Rights or our God given rights. One of those rights is the freedom to redress our grievences to the government.

Your natural, God given rights do not stop because of war.

Answer 8

there should never, ever be limited speech. war time or not. our government should be questioned in everything it does. look at what is going on in our government now. we have a president and vice - president that do what they feel like even though the american people whom they represent are telling them different.
freedom of speech is one of the most important freedoms we have and should always fight to keep it that way.

Answer 9

Of course we have the right. I laugh that its not the government that usually limits our freespeech, but each other. People think that they have the right to say whatever they want with noone argueing and thats absurd....Those people get upset that because people dont agree with them, or argue back, that their free speech is being infringed upon....I find it funny to watch.

Answer 10

We absolutely should have the right to question government. The government should also fear the people. only by questioning our government and instilling fear in thoe in power do we have true freedoms. when we as citizens become complacent nd allow the governing bodies to operate unchecked and unquestioned, they tend to get into trouble become corrupt and stop working for the people and work for their own ends.