Kevin Bridges

The United States of America is a country founded on the highest moral principles. Foremost among these principles are the equality of all men, and the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In fact, the founders of this great country placed such a high value on individual freedom, that the very first amendment to the Constitution of the United States is the amendment guaranteeing these individual liberties (Roark A-13). The Fourth Amendment expands upon the liberties set forth in the First Amendment by stating that the government cannot search or seize any person without probable cause (A-13). Throughout American history, however, there have been certain instances in which the American Government has suppressed these individual liberties in direct violation of the First and Fourth Amendments. By analyzing these instances, it becomes apparent that not only does limiting personal liberties hamper beneficial change within the government, but promoting individual liberties including free speech, even if that speech is derogatory in nature, actually strengthens the foundation of the government.