For All That is Good, Protect the I

          Have you ever really thought about why America is so, let’s face it, awesome? Yeah, like any nation we have our economical, political, and ethical issues, but in the end we are one of the best nations in the world (yes, a bit of nationalism did come out in that statement, I can’t help it).  Even though this might come off as a subjective proclamation, it isn’t. How many countries give their citizens so much freedom? You can probably count on both hands the number of nations that don’t prosecute their civilians for speaking out against the government, or choosing to have a different religion than is said to be the right one or for just being different. There is no nation in the world, nor has there ever been one, like the U.S.

            As you can see I’m big on freedoms, more specifically freedom of religion, speech, press, assembly and petition. If this sounds familiar, it should be (especially if you are in Mr. Berry’s U.S History class) this is the first amendment in the U.S Bill of Rights. The first amendment states “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercises thereof, or abridging the freedom of speech, or of press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances”. I am so strongly in favor of this amendment because it specifically and clearly states that as American citizens we have the right to practice whatever religion we please, the right to say what we want about whatever we want, we can write about anything our hearts please and the government can’t stop it from being printed. As Americans we are deemed able to assemble and petition as long as it is peaceful, without having to worry about the government’s abhorrence. These rights our some of the basic building blocks of this nation. They single handedly make America, America. As a nation we are known for many things, but these rights are one of the most, if not the most, notorious benefactor in our reputation; they set us apart from the rest of the world.

            With this amendment we as individuals are able to speak out in what we believe free of prosecution. We are allowed to be ourselves or whoever we want to be and the government can never tell us “No, that’s not the way” Or “No, you aren’t permitted to do that”. If our first amendment were ever to be taken away, I am sure to say that would be the end of America as we know it. With the death of our freedoms of self will come the detriment of this nation.