May 11, 2022
President George Washington
Dear President Washington:
While having a discussion sponsored by The National Constitution Center on the First Amendment, a quote of yours came to mind. You are probably wondering what the National Constitution Center (NCC) is about so allow me to tell you. Located in Philadelphia it is across the mall from where you and the other Founders, Signers and Framers did your finest work in putting together a document that is still the envy of the world. The NCC serves as America’s leading platform for constitutional education and debate, fulfilling its congressional charter “to disseminate information about the U.S. Constitution on a nonpartisan basis.” Mr. President, it is a must see on any visit to Philadelphia. But I digress, it is your thoughts on the first amendment that interest me and your quote speaks volumes even more so in today’s environment:
“If freedom of speech is taken away, then dumb and silent we may be led, like sheep to the slaughter.”
You see Mr. President, today we have many more forms of communication including social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and others that have become very popular. Again, you must be thinking, what is this guy talking about but bear with me and trust me that Mr. Franklin would probably find these new methods amazing. These platforms have adopted policies where they can censor the writings and opinions as they see fit and deem harmful. In the past, they have banned even a former President from expressing his views because they determined them to be hateful. But the question is who are they to determine what is hateful and why are they limiting the free exchange of ideas and opinions? We also have a President establishing through an Executive Order the Disinformation Governance Board. You see President Washington, I am not quite sure what the job or aim of this new board is but I am sure you will agree that whenever the government attempts to control information whether good or bad, it is never a good thing.
I am also sure you would agree Mr. President that when information is freely given, it allows us to form our own opinions so we can then express these opinions and finally have a civil discussion. If we cannot have this discussion and we are only allowed the flow of information from one side, we are truly sheep being led to the slaughter. Freedom of Speech is the Foundation for all the other freedoms which we are fortunate to have. Without this, our democratic process and this country ceases to exist. Guess what President Washington, that is my opinion and I am free to express it, even write about it and I am willing to listen and discuss this with anyone who has a differing point of view.
What is important President Washington is that we should once again listen to the thoughts and advice that you and all the other Founders espoused well over two hundred years ago, because it is still so relevant and this country would be better for it.
Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Andrew J. DeMarco
Somers, NY
Pen Pals from the Past 