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...