Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Time for my Soapbox

What has happened to free speech in America?

I just heard that just two days after the insurance industry has come out against the Baucus bill, Sen. Schumer of NY has made public and claims that he has been trying to rescind the anti-trust protection of the insurance industry.

There's an apartment complex, The Oaks in Albany Oregon which has banned the flying of any flag while they are flying a large flag advertising their two bedroom apartments. They will allow no other flag, including our own American Flag. The complex manager feels that a resident's right of free speech should not interfere with another's right of peaceful enjoyment (where is such a right granted in our Bill of Rights). One resident is facing eviction over his flag while his son is getting ready for a third tour in Iraq. The ACLU won't get involved because it is private property. Isn't this America, shouldn't we fly our own flag?

About a month ago Humana, one of the biggest private insurers sent customers a letter warning them about the pending health care reform legislation. Humana said that if Medicare Advantage funding gets cut, millions of seniors and disabled individuals could lose many of their benefits. Then the federal government basically issued a gag order on Humana and any other company that communicates with its clients on this issue. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ordered a "cease and desist" order on all of Humana's health care mailings until an investigation of Humana is completed.

Then there is the case of Rush Limbaugh's possible bid for the St. Louis Rams. Al Sharpton quickly wrote a letter to the NFL commissioner requesting a meeting to show why Rush should not be allowed to buy the Rams because of a comment he made a few years ago. As you all know Al Sharpton is such an upstanding character. Does anyone remember Tawana Brawley? She claimed she was raped by six white men and Al immediately came to her defense against the white men. He can still do whatever he wants. He still believes her, although this was proven to be a hoax. I think if Rush Limbaugh has the money to purchase a football team with an 0 and 5 record, he should be allowed to.

The latest outrage (in my opinion) is the attack on Fox News by the administration. The president has previously made snide remarks about Fox, but now they seem to be declaring war on the network. I fully expect to hear about an investigation into Fox and their various commentators. We need to hear both sides of the argument and opposition to the administration.

Again, what has happened to America and our right to free speech?

4 comments:

threecollie said...

Good post! I think a lot of us feel a sort of malaise each day as we wonder what will happen next. Seems like there is no good news anywhere, but a lot of scary stuff as a constant.

Angelfitz said...

This is not the country I grew up in. Everything is being changed, and much too quickly. Bills are being pushed down our throats with no transparency. I'm so disgusted too. I'm getting on, but I worry about my children and Grandchildren living in a way that I would never recognize. I fear a lot of us are perplexed and worried too. We're scared because we don't know what to do about it except vote and now we can't be sure of that either. I just keep praying.
gran

BetteJo said...

I've gone to town hall meetings, written to my congressmen and senators, given money to legislators around the country who support freedom and the constitution. AND I will vote when I get a chance. Please know - an individual can make a difference. If every person who said they won't make a difference emailed their representatives - it would truly make a difference!!!

Pamela said...

Our parents would roll over in their graves...