Do Democrats or Republicans hold first amendment rights more dearly?

Answer 1

After the way the Republicans have attacked the Constitution over the last few years, I would have to say the Democrats definately hold them more dearly.

Democrats don't herd protestors into cages and try to call them "free speech zones".

Democrats don't make people sign "Loyalty Oaths" in order to see Democratic politicians speak.

And it was Republicans and Conservatives who claim that money is free speech, which means that the poor have no voice.

Answer 2

It depends on which group is being threatened!
If a traditionally Democratic group, say anti war people are being censored, the Republicans rationalize why the First Amendment doesn't apply.
If a traditionally Republican group, say pro gun people are being censored, Democrats rationalize why the First Amendment doesn't apply.
Understand that politics isn't about Democrat vs. Republican or Liberal vs Conservative.
Politics is about competition of forces behind the scenes for taxpayer dollars. It's about competition for controlling the public mind.
I just saw the Penn and Teller B U L L S H I T episode where an activist lawyer states that the same right to privacy invoked in Roe v Wade also applies to prostitution. But you find people on the Left and the Right wanting to keep it illegal.
Why? Social Control! Control sex and you control the people having sex.
That's more a 4th amendment issue, granted. But it's typical of the lack of commitment to free speech you find on both sides of the political spectrum. Neither side wants to give up the power to bully people into accepting censorship!

Answer 3

It is hard by political 'brand' to say that one group or another truly holds the Bill of Rights in full esteem.

The problem is in how individuals define the meanings of each amendment. The devil is in the details.

Given the way the political tides are moving, the republicans in office and their supporters tend not to value any of the first ten amendments. Something about it being called the Bill of Rights and all...

Answer 4

They both hold them dearly, but most conservatives understand them better. Both parties try to accuse the other of infringing on theirs, but the Democrats actually try to make laws that limit them - especially free speech. Campaign Finance was a huge blow to free speech and now they are trying to pass "The Fairness" doctrine which is a joke and should be called the unfairness doctrine. All they want to do is limit conservative speech on talk radio. Liberals only care about protecting liberal free speech. I've never known a conservative that wanted to pass a law limiting liberal speech.

dharma doesn't know what free speech is because it has nothing to do with who people allow into their speeches. Protesters have been present everywhere Bush goes. No Democrat or Communist member has been prevented from saying anything during this administration. Dems consider being critical of speech to be limiting it and don't realize that it's just more free speech coming back at them. Passing a law or putting people in jail for their speech limits it. Criticizing speech is not limiting it.

Republicans have also not passed any laws that limit the first amendment. I guess he is referring to the Homeland security bill, because it's they only one that has infringed on any rights per-say but it was passed with many Democrats and was bi-partisan.

Answer 5

Some See Impeachment Option, Hagel Says

Answer 6

Democrats better hold our freedoms.
The Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are liberal documents. The ACLU defends them and is considered liberal. Liberals tend to vote Democratic.

Answer 7

At this point I would say Republicans. Democrats seem to be attacking the Christian church for say the last two decades (them and the ACLU).

Answer 8

Considering it was Tipper Gore's group that wanted to label and censor music, I'd say Republicans.

Answer 9

As Americans I would hope, they give it equal importance.

Answer 10

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