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Thread from a soon to be released book on Marxism:
Thomas Paine once profoundly stated in 1776, that, โWhen men yield up the exclusive privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits their horizon.โ
To understand what Paine meant we must look back to history.
Thomas Paine once profoundly stated in 1776, that, โWhen men yield up the exclusive privilege of thinking, the last shadow of liberty quits their horizon.โ
To understand what Paine meant we must look back to history.
2/
As much of the world, America was also entrenched in the Age of Revolution during the 1770s. Those fighting for independence from Imperial rule in America though, found their inspiration in a very unexpected place. In many senses, America was founded by Thomas Paine.
As much of the world, America was also entrenched in the Age of Revolution during the 1770s. Those fighting for independence from Imperial rule in America though, found their inspiration in a very unexpected place. In many senses, America was founded by Thomas Paine.
3/ He was a journalist who called for Americans to revolt against the British Empire. It was a bold move, as the British were once thought invincible.
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Conceptually, America was really founded on one simple principle, if you gave the people the information that they needed, they could govern themselves.
Therefore, our Founding Fathers worked to ensure they gave citizens the fundamental right to Free Press.
Conceptually, America was really founded on one simple principle, if you gave the people the information that they needed, they could govern themselves.
Therefore, our Founding Fathers worked to ensure they gave citizens the fundamental right to Free Press.
5/
It was a Revolution for the Freedom of Information, fought by those determined to be free. Predominantly, the Free Press was designed to keep the government from becoming an empire that would seek to tyrannically control its citizens.
It was a Revolution for the Freedom of Information, fought by those determined to be free. Predominantly, the Free Press was designed to keep the government from becoming an empire that would seek to tyrannically control its citizens.
6/
Information allowed people outside of power to constrain the ruling class by providing a method of checks and balances, so citizens would retain power. The function of the Free Press, in part, was to stop militarism, secrecy, cronyism and especially government corruption.
Information allowed people outside of power to constrain the ruling class by providing a method of checks and balances, so citizens would retain power. The function of the Free Press, in part, was to stop militarism, secrecy, cronyism and especially government corruption.
7/
That is the reason freedom of speech was not just protected under the Constitution, but it was the very First Amendment. Freedom of the press was explicitly woven into the fabric of our nation from the get-go.
That is the reason freedom of speech was not just protected under the Constitution, but it was the very First Amendment. Freedom of the press was explicitly woven into the fabric of our nation from the get-go.
8/
Because Americans weโre tasked with holding those in power accountable.
Journalism was meant to ask the critical questions, to keep America informed.
Because Americans weโre tasked with holding those in power accountable.
Journalism was meant to ask the critical questions, to keep America informed.
9/
So, one of the very first steps of the new government was to provide subsidies to encourage those individuals who desired to help others, โRead all about it!โ
Securing the distribution of the news, secured America.
So, now do you understand why speech is under attack?
So, one of the very first steps of the new government was to provide subsidies to encourage those individuals who desired to help others, โRead all about it!โ
Securing the distribution of the news, secured America.
So, now do you understand why speech is under attack?
