Democrats & Republicans do you feel safe posting your opposing views of the US Government?

Question

What concerns me is that the Bush Administration seems to be heavyhanded when it comes to our rights, as the firings of the "non-republican" Attorney generals showed.

Are democrats or even republican opposers in this country are prone to being harrassed or arrested under his presidency?

I do oppose Bush for what I see are lies, misconceptions, and hypocrisy. And because I am a democrat, I feel that I am more likely to be harrassed than if I were a republican.

Does anyone else feel this way?

I don't think it's paranoia at all. Remember the McCarthy Era?

Answer 1

It is not paranoia to have legit concerns about political affiliations and the consequences. The fact is our government has a documented track record of harassing those they perceive as dissenters. The Bush administration is the most authoritarian and viscous administration I can remember. Does anyone remember Ari Fleischer {sp} (press secretary 1 st. Bush term.) saying during a press conference "Americans should be careful of whom they criticize" (I am paraphrasing based on my memory), that greatly alarmed me and I think it says enough about fears of speaking out against the Bush Cheney mafia. The level of people's fervor and the lengths they are willing to go in this current climate is also something that is alarming too many.

Answer 2

Well to be honest no, when ever Clinton's actions were questioned, people died or dissapeared, and now it appears that whenever one reads about Bush's actions being questioned the results are more taxes, more troops being sent to their deaths, no disregard for the financial damage he is doing to the country. This is supposed to be the land of the free, this is your land, your country, the 1st amendment, freedom to gather in a public place to voice your views if I remember right, well you just try to do that especially if you are against abortion or if you think the government shouldn't tax our retirement you just try to voice your opinion and you will see just how many rights you have, how much "freedom" you have. Sorry about that I was trying to answer this during my lunch break, couldn't finish so where was I, Ohyes! Well I have to say that Yes I do feel I am unable speak out on many issues for fear from being persecutated, jeered at, arrested, harrassed, etc., etc. Why because well just look at the way things are, we had a demonic President for 8 years did anything improve no, now we have a nitwit for president and he's just getting our loved ones killed, he has caused the price of oil and because it everything else to sky rocket, so I have to say no I donot feel safe, nor do I trust our government, our presidents, no one, we as a people have to rely on ourselfs. Oh by the way, why are you so concerned you seem pretty well off by the sounds of your prof.

Answer 3

I feel completely safe. I say this not because the government might not do something about dissent (I bet they would love to shut everyone but their flunkies up), but because the government, especially this administration, is 99.9% inefficient.
Remember, these are the same idiots who granted a permanent US Residential Visa (the so-called "green card") to Mohammad Atta six months AFTER he smashed his plane into the WTC. Apart from the fact that he was a terrorist, he was also dead! So, they don't worry me too much, and they will be gone from office soon enough.
It may impede some anti-Bush journalists and authors-they might have their phones tapped, stuff like that (even though wiretapping a free press is scary as hell. It's unconstitutional, a crime, and un-American).
However, I am a peon to these guys, no matter how much I loathe them, and I doubt they could track down all the people (at minimum 55% -60% of the US populace) who despise them and make them all shut up.

Answer 4

Bush said in his speech one day that he didn't care what people thought of him or how low his polls went, that he was the Commander in Chief and the Decider. That tells me that he knows what he doing wrong and he is a sadistic person likes to put harm on people. He has really lost the little bit of mind he had, if I was Old Laura I'd be keeping a close eye on him, she could whip that cheerleader but I'd be watching my back. That man is dangerous, he don't have any brain cells and people like that would just as soon pick up a Axe and bring it
down on your head or in your back. I wouldn't live with him after this slaughter manic leaves office for nothing in this world, he is a raving maniac.

Answer 5

First the wall was put up by Janet Reno and was protected by Nancy Garelic all under Clinton.

What is more important to die or have some infringements.
Let me also point out the beside Clinton FDR did much more than Bush has he had older women open every piece of mail and ease drop every phone call in to and out of the USA.

Answer 6

What is there to fear?

We are told to be fearful of an attack every single day!

So I am not afraid to post my opposition and speak my mind - as long as there is Freedom of Speech in our Nation it is the duty of the people to speak out against tyranny and corruption

I will live free or die free

There are millions more who feel the way I do!

I am not trying to effect the outcome of a war - I am trying to save our freedoms and our Nation

If patriotism and speech is a crime in this Nation then we are already dead - so what is there left to fear?

And the dead shall walk the Earth

Answer 7

Yes, moreso under Bush than his predecessor.

Clinton used to harass opponents using IRS audits on them. Some people might consider that abuse of power.

However, there has been no evidence, no proof, not the slightest, teensiest little iota hint that anybody in the US has suffered in any way at the hands of the federal government or its agencies simply because they were critical of the government.

Answer 8

I feel "safe" but I'm sure "they" are keeping an eye out. I upset the Bush/Cheney camp back in 2000 by passing a political quiz they had on their Election 2000 website.

I got an email saying how I would be getting a "Bush/Cheney 2000" tee shirt, I replied: "Cool, I need something to wash my car with". Needles to say, they never sent me my tee shirt.

I will speak my mind always!

Answer 9

I am uneasy that I could be arrested under the USA Patriot Act and held indefinitely without being charged.

I am also uneasy that a tsunami could wash my home away, or the hills could flow into it.

But I will NEVER allow my fears to shut my mouth. I mean this administration swore to use the misinformation section in the Pentagon to " spread misinformation to our enemies, our allies, and to the American people" including the congress, I assume.

Fascism took over Germany because good people were scared oput of speaking out against it. My voice is small compared to the liberty it is trying to defend.

Answer 10

I don't really think it matters all that much anymore. I am dem. also. I speak what is on my mind all the time. If they don't like it then they can shove it up their A**. Bush can not be re-elected so he'll be fighting a losing battle. If he wants to look like an idiot doing it then let him. More power to him. I just wish I knew why his daughters are not enlisted and if they were would he still be so firm on us being in Iraq.