For perhaps the first time in America’s history, you can’t express a difference of opinion without fear of being shunned by your friends, disowned by your family, let go from your job, and canceled on social media. I learned in grade school how great our country was, because here you can voice your disapproval of government, talk about your religious beliefs, and read and write what you want. It is these freedoms that our grandfathers fought and died for. They told us horror stories about other countries where speaking out about your leaders, pursuing an education, or practicing the wrong faith could mean prison, or even death. I was so happy that I was born an American!
The pandemic opened my eyes to the possibility of tyranny in our own country. I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing; it felt like I wasn’t living in the USA. I would never have believed that our freedom of speech would be compromised and blatantly taken away. For the last two years I have been asking everyone who has met with me, Democrats, Independents and Republicans, for their thoughts on the most contentious subjects of the day: police funding, abortion, women’s sports, freedom of speech. Most people are chiefly concerned about the economy and gas prices, but that is not the narrative the news media is pushing centers instead on the topics I asked about. Without hearing my own opinions, not one person agreed with what the news tells us to feel. No one believes the police should be defunded or eliminated, no one believes biological males should play in women’s sports, and 98% of the people I spoke with believe in freedom of speech.
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