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The American people are sick and tired of being afraid to speak their minds lest they be politically smeared as 'Communists' or 'Fascists' by their opponents. Freedom of speech is not what it used to be in America. It has been so abused by some that it is not exercised by others. The American people are sick and tired of seeing innocent people smeared and guilty people whitewashed.

Margaret Chase Smith#7

PoliticsSpeechFearFree speechMedia

About this quote

What does it mean?
Americans are tired of fear‑based speech suppression and smear campaigns; free speech is abused, harming both the innocent and the guilty.
In plain terms
People are exhausted by fear of being labeled and the misuse of free speech.
What can you take from it?
Push back against smear tactics and protect genuine free expression.

Where it applies

  • public forums
  • media outlets
  • online platforms

Putting it to work

  • advocate for speech protections
  • expose false accusations
  • promote civil dialogue

Questions to consider

  • What limits, if any, should be placed on speech to prevent smears?
  • How can society restore confidence in free expression?

Another view

Balancing free speech with preventing harmful rhetoric is complex.

More from Margaret Chase Smith

  1. Those of us who shout the loudest about Americanism in making character assassinations are all too frequently those who, by our own words and acts, ignore some…

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  2. Today our country is being psychologically divided by the confusion and the suspicions that are bred in the United States Senate to spread like cancerous tenta…

    Permalink to quote #8
  3. I think that it is high time for the United States Senate and its members to do some soul-searching - for us to weigh our consciences - on the manner in which …

    Permalink to quote #5

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