Stopping a “group” from speaking (i.e., organization) is not the same as blocking an individual’s right to speak. The “individual” will retain this right, but can only do so without affiliating him-/her-self, or whatever happens to be stated, with any particular organization.
Your right to free speech remains intact. Nobody ever said anyone had an inalienable right to free “clout.”
Well said.
The Constitution recognizes the primacy of rights of individual persons, while granting a restricted subset of rights (and responsibilities) to the "abstract entity" of government. And because that entity is a government "of the people, by the people, and for the people", the Constitution is about the rights only of persons.
Nowhere does the Constitution grant any rights to corporations, unions, trade associations, or any other "abstract entity". Further, it's hard to imagine the Founders intending to introduce a third force--accumulations of clout, as you put it so nicely--to interfere with and distort the direct relationship between the people and our government.
I think we made a huge mistake in the 19th century stretching the definition of "person" to include non-persons--corporations. It fundamentally changed the nature of government and politics, and not for the better.
--Robert
Current Events » in reply to Re: Well . . .
Well said
The whole thread (37 posts)
- First Amendment apparently not shredded entirely, but not for lack of trying
- Re: Well . . .
- "What if the vote had gone the other way?"
- Fundamental to conservatism.
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- Re: First Amendment apparently not shredded entirely, but not for lack of trying