freedom of speech

I think that a group of citizens cannot be free without being able to express their ideas publicly about the government. The government should be able to hear the complaints of the people it governs and make some changes accordingly. Everyone thinks that their ideas and views about the government matter, and is what allows the government flexibility to change during different times. All ideas and options must be considered for making a decision in the government, if the government is to work properly. Freedom of speech provides a balance between stability and change.
If a group has their freedom of speech taken away, which means the government is limiting their individuality. This goes along with freedom of religion. People want to say what they think, and if they say something that the government doesn't like there could be consequences. People don't want to live in fear of the government. Unless those people are kept in the dark about what the government does. But many people believe that over the long run, free speech actually improves our political decision-making. Freedom of speech acts as a system of checks and balances and is a restraint on tyranny. Freedom of speech is a necessary thing for democracies to thrive. Freedom of speech is power for the people.


Sources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_of_speech
Chinese guests
http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/Speech/overview.aspx

centrist party

The political group that I am most identified with is the Centrist Party. That means I am in the middle of the road when it comes to most political issues. This party supports some government intervention, but also supports some individual freedoms. Centrists keep and open mind and they emphasize “practical solutions” to government problems. Of course I am going to say that the Centrist party has some of the better ideas on how to run things, but there would be positive gains and some set backs if every person elected in government was Centrist in their views.
With Centrism being the main political party, there would be ideas taken from the Republican and Democrats. There would be liberal and conservative changes made. There would be more flexibility in government and the candidates could agree and disagree with both the liberals and conservatives. A Centrist government would be more efficient, fiscally responsible and show restraint, and allow freedom of choice on personal issues, and would agree on a strong diplomacy and national defense. Instead of partisan fighting, there would be progress made in politics. There would be some problems if all politicians were Centrist. The people that are extreme left or extreme right would not be happy with middle of the road politics. Centrist would disagree with each other on some topics. There also comes the question of what political ideas are "good" from each party. The American Centrist Party doesn't move America left or right, but forward.