"It does not take a majority to prevail.. but rather an irate, tireless minority, keen on setting brush-fires of freedom in the minds of men." Samuel Adams (Politician of the American Revolution, leader of the Massachusetts “radicals,” - delegate to the Continental Congress (1774–81) and signer of the Declaration of Independence.)
What does freedom of speech mean in the United States?
First Amendment - Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
What is a monopoly as it pertains to Business within the United States?
The three major Federal antitrust laws are:
- The Sherman Antitrust Act
- The Clayton Act
- The Federal Trade Commission Act.
The Sherman Antitrust Act
The Clayton Act
This Act is a civil statute (carrying no criminal penalties) that prohibits mergers or acquisitions that are likely to lessen competition. Under this Act, the Government challenges those mergers that are likely to increase prices to consumers. All persons considering a merger or acquisition above a certain size must notify both the Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission. The Act also prohibits other business practices that may harm competition under certain circumstances.
The Federal Trade Commission Act
This Act prohibits unfair methods of competition in interstate commerce, but carries no criminal penalties. It also created the Federal Trade Commission to police violations of the Act.
ref https://www.justice.gov/atr/antitrust-laws-and-you
What does this mean in the wake of what we are seeing today as large tech companies enforce their political voice through monitoring and the suppressing of individuals voices, both on their social platforms and through the restriction of other platforms they feel are not aligned with their views.
Is this against the First Amendment or perhaps illustrate how a monopoly can disrupt competition?
Unfortunately NO in both cases. It does though illustrate the darkest concerns of our founding fathers.
“When people talk of the freedom of writing, speaking or thinking I cannot choose but laugh. No such thing ever existed. No such thing now exists: but I hope it will exist. But it must be hundreds of years after you and I shall write and speak no more.”
“Let us dare to read, think, speak and write.”
“I will now add what I do not like. First, the omission of a bill of rights, providing clearly, and without the aid of sophism, for freedom of religion, freedom of the press, protection against standing armies, restriction of monopolies, the eternal and unremitting force of the habeas corpus laws, and trials by jury, in all matters of fact triable by the law of the land, and not by the laws of nations.”
“Where liberty dwells, there is my country.”
“Liberty must at all hazards be supported. We have a right to it, derived from our Maker. But if we had not, our fathers have earned and bought it for us, at the expense of their ease, their estates, their pleasure, and their blood.”
“But a Constitution of Government once changed from Freedom, can never be restored. Liberty once lost is lost forever.”
“Liberty and order will never be perfectly safe, until a trespass on the constitutional provisions for either, shall be felt with the same keenness that resents an invasion of the dearest rights, until every citizen shall be an Argus to espy, and an Aegeon to avenge, the unhallowed deed.”
These are but a few excerpts to provide food for thought.
Each of you must decide for yourself where the line is to be drawn and at what cost.
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