Talk about self-serving.
Under the guise of protecting government officials from physical attacks, the Trespass Bill criminalizes First Amendment activity by making it a federal offense, punishable by up to 10 years in prison, to protest anywhere the Secret Service might be guarding someone.
Mind you, the Secret Service not only protects the president but all past sitting presidents, members of Congress, foreign dignitaries, presidential candidates, and anyone whom the president determines needs protection, but is also in charge of securing National Special Security Events, which include events such as the G8 and NATO summits, the National Conventions of both major parties, and even the Super Bowl.
The law essentially creates a roving bubble zone where the First Amendment is effectively off-limits, thereby putting an end to free speech, political protest and the right to peaceably assemble in all areas where government officials happen to be present.
Consider yourself warned: If you do dare to show up to a Trump or Clinton rally and even appear to be the kind of person who might engage in any kind of protest, lawful or otherwise, you could find yourself quickly dispatched to a "free speech zone" out of sight and sound of the candidates.
The message is clear: in an age of robber barons, "we the people" are expected to just shut up and vote.
The powers-that-be want us to be censored, silenced, muzzled, gagged, zoned out, caged in and shut down. They want our speech and activities monitored for any sign of "extremist" activity. They want us to be estranged from each other and kept at a distance from those who are supposed to represent us. They want taxation without representation. They want a government without the consent of the governed.
They want the police state.
The system has been so corrupted and compromised that there are few left in the halls of government who hear or speak for us.
Congress does not represent us. The courts do not advocate for us. The president does not listen to us. And the First Amendment's assurance of the right to speak freely and petition our government for a redress of grievance no longer applies to us.
So if representative government has become an exercise in futility, where does that leave us?
One of the key ingredients in maintaining democratic government is the right of citizens to freely speak their minds to those who represent them. In fact, it is one of the few effective tools we have left to combat government corruption and demand accountability.
If there is to be any hope of righting the wrongs that are being perpetrated against the American people, we must make them--our elected officials--hear us.
But where to begin?
Start by opening up a dialogue within your own community about what's wrong with this country. Stop focusing on the issues that divide, and find common ground with your fellow citizens about issues on which you can agree. Focus less on politics and more on principles. Stop buying into the false and divisive narratives that are being promulgated by political windbags and start thinking and speaking for yourselves.
Once you've found that common ground, whatever it might be, make enough noise at the local level--at your city council meetings, in your local paper, at your school board meetings, in front of your courthouses and police stations--and the message will trickle up. Those in power may not like what they hear, but they will hear you.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).
5
5
4
