Reply #102: Where does it say 'freedom of expression' in the 1st Amendment?

[sabrina 1]

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

I see nothing there about 'freedom of exression'.

The commenter above is absolutely correct. The 1st Amendment HAS been poluted. It was done by rightwingers who wanted to use money as speech for one thing. 'Money is speech' they say. Which means if you have it you can the government and if you don't, you are mere peasant with no access to the system of government. So we are essentially back to the old way where Royalty Rules and makes the laws. All becasue people are so stupid and willing to literally give their freedom away.

I think the FFs would be horrified at how the Constitution has become a tool for bigotry and to take away the rights of the poor to an equal chance to influence government. I KNOW that was not their intention.

'Freedom of expression' can be taken to a ridiculous level. Eg, you could even claim that murdering someone is simply an expression of opinion. With the way we are stretching the right to freedom of speech, I would not be surprised to see it used as a defense for murder. Because the Jones book burning, even when warnings by three members of this government of possible violence against Muslims in this country and by extremists elsewhere, was still being defended as freedom of speech. It was absolutely ludicrous.