Manny

A nice sounding but dangerous lie; that's what it means to me. Certainly, the USA has to be one of the most, if not the most, "free" country in the world but the influence of many special interest groups has gradually, and seriously, compromised our liberties. The very existence of these special interest groups is an ironic proof of the many freedoms that we do enjoy in the United States. Ironic because they are a result of our freedoms and they, in turn, attempt to remove, or limit, freedoms that they have deemed dangerous to their agendas. By the way, my response will be restricted to the concept of "freedom of expression".

Expression has consequences; if it didn't, we probably wouldn't express ourselves. If a baby wants to eat, he instinctually knows that, if he cries, he will probably be fed. Special interest groups do exactly the same thing. They cry whenever their needs, or wants, are not being met by our government. These "needs" pull in many different directions with intent on protecting some while exposing others to harms way. The wealthier the special interest group, the more influential, and the louder, its cry. Unfortunately, their cries, in many occasions, silence the voices of others.

Special interest groups are obviously well acquainted with policy makers, within our government, who can procure the special interest groups' "needs". They, the policy makers, are then handsomely compensated for their efforts by whichever special interest group they have served.

This is nothing new and it's in accord with common human nature. It is also, apparently, perfectly legal. Policy makers would be fools if this wasn't the case. They, for example, create laws that allow donating entities (their specific name escapes me now) to contribute large sums of money to the policy makers' "cause". These donating entities are also designed in a way which conceals its financial sources, representatives, and motives. These entities are just what many special interest groups needed; a straight forward way to anonymously buy your local, senator, congressman, etc.

As a result of all these special interests groups, and greed in the part of our policy makers, the United States has become an extremely sensitive place in which to express oneself. Examples of these sensitivities abound but none will be listed here since I do need my low paying job.