There were two values of free expression that really stood out to me amongst all 8. Participation in Self-Government and Check Governmental Power.
First off, Participation in Self-Government- Americans need to be informed. It’s so important that the public knows in depth what candidates are truly promoting and working for. Plus, this free expression allows citizens to openly criticize government officials or question people in power. This type of open discussion whether its online or through debates or just general conversation helps people become more knowledgeable and aware of the issues and what the candidates are attempting to resolve or change. Free speech is intertwined so tightly with ensuring that all voices are heard and valued, besides, this also holds a lot of weight when it comes to needing the consent of the governed. The reason believes this expression stood out to me so heavily is because I believe so strongly in being informed and properly understanding what people are standing for. If politicians weren’t allowed to run campaigns and put out advertisements or promote themselves, we wouldn’t know their policies, who they’re for and not, what type of people would endorse them, and so on and so forth. This is crucial to the democracy of our country because the people are our country- if they don’t have say who will? We can’t truly govern ourselves if we don’t have a say. We simply wouldn’t even know what we were voting for. And obviously, if we’re not in the know, who knows what kind of person could end up sitting in that chair.
Which wraps into my next value of free expression, Checking Governmental Power. I think this stood out to me especially hard due to the happenings of the US Government and just state of the US in general as of right now (and those in any sort of power, Epstein files etc.) As I said prior, this allows the citizens of the US to openly criticize and call out government officials. We need to be able to expose corruption and abuse of power throughout our government and shouldn’t be silenced when trying to do so. Many people, once in a position of power, use that to silence those below them and use their position to their own benefit. These types of people need to be held accountable and that’s what the American people are here for. Nobody is above the law. The United States of America is a democracy, through that we can openly condemn government officials to prevent the rise of authoritarianism. Once again, the people are our country. We are allowed to challenge and debate, allowed to publicly scrutinize, we’re allowed to protest, the press is allowed to hold leaders accountable face to face; because we’re a democracy. I think this is especially important nowadays, and people should continue to do so and press the government into telling the truth and nothing but the truth. Ultimately, these free expressions stood out to me because they both check governmental power and empower citizens to actively participate in self-government, ensuring that democracy remains accountable, informed, and this country truly driven by the people.
