First, I'm told that because I'm a public school teacher, I'm lazy and don't care about my students (oh yeah, and I'm a terrorist). Now, I'm told whenever I question the government or the president, I'm not a real American, I'm unpatriotic. Now, I can take it (a little) when I hear it from Bush and his cronies, because they're idiots. But when I hear it from the average person, I start getting pissed. Especially when I hear it again...and again...and again...
And I know I'm not alone on this one. It occurred to me, however, to throw this one back in Repubs face when I hear it. So I've been looking for samples of Repubs (particularly recent presidents) who have sung the praises of questioning the government in the interests of democracy. I'm going to print it out and carry it with me. Then, when I'm told I'm unamerican, I'll just hand them over.
Here's my first find - from Reagan. More to come.
http://www.forerunner.com/forerunner/X0692_Reagans_Speech_in_Mo.html<But freedom is more even than this: Freedom is the right to question, and change the established way of doing things. It is the continuing revolution of the marketplace. It is the understanding that allows us to recognize shortcomings and seek solutions. It is the right to put forth an idea, scoffed at by the experts, and watch it catch fire among the people. It is the right to stick - to dream - to follow your dream, or stick to your conscience, even if you're the only one in a sea of doubters.
Freedom is the recognition that no single person, no single authority of government has a monopoly on the truth, but that every individual life is infinitely precious, that every one of us put on this world has been put there for a reason and has something to offer.>