Ted Poe: “Thomas Jefferson once stated, ``A democracy cannot be both ignorant and free.'' Our Founding Fathers shared that…”

“Thomas Jefferson once stated, ``A democracy cannot be both ignorant and free.'' Our Founding Fathers shared that attitude. They knew that if American citizens failed to share information and were unable to speak freely, they would be worse off than they had been as subjects under Britain's King George III. Our Founding Fathers were former colonists under a tyranny that controlled information and freedom of expression. King George III suppressed free speech, especially speech critical of the Crown or the government. As the Founding Fathers debated what the new Nation of America should look like and stand for, they were determined free speech would be a basic right for all of us. After the States ratified the Constitution, our Founding Fathers set out to enact a declaration of rights. They knew that this was essential for our country. That declaration of rights later became the Bill of Rights, which includes the first 10 amendments. The Bill of Rights, Mr. Speaker, limits government control over us. The government does not have any rights. Government has power. It has the power we give it when we give up our rights that are listed in the Bill of Rights. This is an important concept that unfortunately many Americans fail to understand. And the first amendment is first because it's the most important. The first amendment states in part: Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of speech.…”