Ron Kind: “I have the utmost reverence and respect for the flag of the United States, one of the most recognizable symbols of…”

“I have the utmost reverence and respect for the flag of the United States, one of the most recognizable symbols of freedom and liberty in the world. And I have the utmost respect for those who want to protect it. Among other things, the flag represents our rights as Americans, including those protected by the Bill of Rights. The first amendment in particular is the amendment that embodies the very essence upon which our democracy was founded because it stands for the proposition that anyone in this country can stand up and criticize this government and its policies without fear of prosecution. The first amendment is perhaps the best known provision of the Constitution and has been well guarded over the years by Congress and the Courts. But today's amendment would create a tremendous spiritual change, effectively turning the words ``no law'' in ``Congress shall make no law'' into ``few laws.'' Which is to say it would sap the first amendment of the principle it represents, the one that insists that this country does not punish ideas, no matter how unpopular. But here we are, yet again, debating an amendment that would for the first time in our Nation's history change the first amendment to our Constitution, without a compelling reason. Flag burning is exceedingly rare.…”