Eight Values of Free Expression

 Throughout my time in class and outside research, and understood the eight values of free expression. These ideas are essential to any government that states it works by and for the people of which it serves. These ideals are crucial for differing ideas while allowing for the preservation of our knowledge and history whether it had been good or bad. These natural rights have been stated in our constitution in the Bill of Rights. While the First Amendment right is critical to the success of American Democracy without it all these other rights stated in the Bill of Rights would cease to exist. The fear of increasing government power has been seen throughout history as a large fear by many of the founders. First stated during the Declaration of Independence "Governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed". This resounding statement is an essential point to the flow of the eight values of free expression and no government can take them away.

Throughout these eight values, all play a role in a successful soceity & government however one seemed to grab a hold of me while sticking out more than the other seven values. The value of a Check on Government Power (aka Watchdog role) is essential. First off, the government is made in most cases to be for the people. The constitution of the United States put a self-check on governmental power through checks and balances & the separation of powers of government. Each branch works together to make a

more perfect union. While holding the other branches accountable when they seem to be using more power than they should. These systems prevent government abuses and advantages over its people.  When these systems fail we can see the result of when a government works for its own self-interest. For example the country of Iran, currently its government and leader possess total control of its people while stopping the spread of ideas by limiting free speech.  Without a successful check on government power, the government can grow until it gains enough power to hold over its people. As a result, this is a critical point as to why people need to protest when they see corruption, they need to use the ballot box to remove leaders who are not doing the job they stated they would. The people need to hold the government accountable it should not be the other way around. When the government tries to inch closer to infringing on these theories of free speech, the people have a right to push back. It has been a sacred duty founded in our Constitution to preserve these ideals.

In a time where there is much uncertainty, there is a higher need to lean on these values and bring about ideals that our founders fought so hard for. It is our delegated duty to hold our elected officials accountable while making sure that the United States will always be by the people and for the people...

The Founding Era & The Idea of America

 Introduction

The idea of America many years ago seemed impossible since it had never been done before. Through many years of hard work, sacrifice, and dedication that idea that our founders dreamt of came true. A country founded on the belief that all men and women were created equal with natural born rights that no one person or government can ever take away held true. Since then the United States has been a beacon to the world of strength & excellence. This was only achievable through the establishment of our government through our constitution. However, one branch may have impacted our history more than perhaps any branch. Established in Article III of the United States Constitution were the Judicial Branch and the Supreme Court. The delegated power of judicial reviews has changed the course of American History. 

Supreme Court

The Supreme Court of the United States has had a vast history. Interpreting a two-hundred-year-old document can be difficult since there are many differing opinions as to how the Constitution should be interpreted. However, through different interpretations, I believe the resounding duty that I believe is the most essential aspect of the Supreme Court is its duty to safeguard liberty, preserve the union, and uphold the rule of law.  This sacred duty falls on the shoulders of all the justices that serve. This sacred decision controls the future direction of our democracy. Through the videos, there was information that I was informed, of that before didn't previously know. The first is the amount of cases that the Supreme Court is asked to hear on a yearly basis. The court has been generally asked to hear just over 7,000 cases while only being able to accept around 100 - 150 cases. I found this number to be astronomical compared to what I had previously originally thought. This made me believe that there is a tremendous amount of questioning regarding the basis of the law that takes place in our country today. The second piece of information that I found shocking happened to be the amount of work that goes into these decisions. The documentation of these cases takes a lot of time, discussion, debate, and compromise to go into these decisions. With their justice opinions being up to 100 pages in response to their cases. Overall these videos and research have shown me how critical the Supreme Court is to our country while reinforcing a central theme that the Supreme Court must remain partisan and not fall into these political games we see forming in many of our politics today. I believe it will be essential to the country's future.

My Top Five Sources

Introduction

 Throughout our world today there is an abundance of news sights that will provide information about all the current events happening in the world around us. Gaining information is essential to the growth mindset aspect of life. While essentially building our knowledge of the information that is taking place. Many sources will provide information however it is necessary to find reliable sources, and sources you enjoy. Possessing many different sources will allow the reader to gain differing opinions and a new understanding that the person may have not previously had. In all of news & social media here are my current top five sources of news media.

#1 Fox News 

This news site of Fox News is a news media outlet prominet in the United States politics and world issues/news. Through numerous top-tier news hosts, viewers can gain different points of view on many of the issues the country and the world face. With real-time updates, its viewers can gain direct insight into many of the news taking place in the world. Especially before the election, Fox News has served as a way to gain direct information about the candidates, their ideas, solutions, and potential flaws and strengths. Fox News does possess more conservative ideologies in their sights, however, this is negated by having people on their shows from differing political ideologies for debate and the spread of new ideas. Fox News has played a key role in enhancing many people's knowledge in the world of politics, and world news for many years.

#2  New York Post

The New York Post is a historic daily newspaper and news site founded over two hundred years ago by Alexander Hamilton that has operated out of New York City since its founding. Today the newspaper and website are very prominet in the world of sports, celebrity, politics, and local & world news. With daily newspapers from events from the day before, and real-time updates on their websites. People can gain reliable news from a variety of differing special topics.

#3 Newsday

Newsday is a Long Island-based daily news service founded in the 1940s. Newsday serves fellow Long Islanders from Nassau County to Suffolk County on local news including weather, local politics, and high school and professional sports. While also giving many Long Islanders updates on many popular and upcoming stores, restaurants,

and new tourist attractions from around the island. Newsday has played an essential role in the hearts of many Long Islanders as it has allowed the spread of the culture of Long Island to many of its citizens for many years. 

#4 Instagram

Instagram is a major social media app that can be found on all devices. It has served as

a site where people can connect with friends, family, and many other different groups and people. While being able to share pictures and videos people can stay updated with their favorite celebrities, sports teams, politics, and news. It has been a digital giant since its founding in 2010 with over 2 billion users on the platform. Roaring into the future Instagram will still play an essential act in the spread of many differing topics of news to people throughout the globe

#5 Youtube

In this new era of technology, it has been dominated in the online media market, which transitioned from cable media.  With over 4.95 billion monthly viewers YouTube has been the dominant company in the age of online media. Viewers can watch sports highlights, online podcasts, and news YouTube offers a variety of different videos to help people gain information from a video standpoint into much of what has been taking place in our world.