Why Should Freedom Of Speech be allowed? How does it benefit us? Causes and effects?

Our founding fathers followed an 'enlightened' philosophy of government. I mean they disagreed on almost everything--slavery, who should vote, etc.--but they agreed on certain core ideas. Those ideas are reflected in the 1st Amendment.

The 1st Amendment is seen as the first thing you need for democracy to work. Five things. Freedom of speech, of religion, of the press, petition and assembly.

It's like if someone asked you how to make an omelette. Let's say you never made one, but you've -thought- about how you'd make one. You'd start out: "Well, you need eggs, I guess. That's the first thing. And I know there's a pan involved, and some heat. There's other stuff in there too but I'm not sure. You have to mix it up so you'll need a fork. And I think you put butter in the pan so you'll need butter." etc. The 1st Amendment is the beginning, the foundation that everyone agrees on. Then we'll argue from there.

The idea of a democracy (or 'republic' if you like that term better) is that it must be a 'free marketplace of ideas'. This means that anyone who has an idea has the freedom to propose it and discuss it and defend it. ALL ideas are not necessarily good ideas, but for purposes of discussion they're all allowable. At the very least, the govt. can't ban discussion of ideas that embarrass them.

Now everyone who understands and believes in freedom of speech agrees that there are limits. Fraudulent speech isn't covered, or libel/slander, or 'fighting words' or 'hate speech' (and these terms have real definitions. They aren't just things you don't want to hear). Nobody is allowed to advocate violent overthrow of the govt. by force because that is antithetical to democracy itself.

Freedom of the press is closely related to freedom of speech. In a democratic republic, every citizen is on the board of directors, so to speak. We all decide stuff. So we have to be informed. This means media has to have the right to report facts and opinions. And also that as citizens we have a responsibility to inform ourselves--and this is a place I think we're inadequate here in the US.

Gives us the liberty to say what ever the hell we want.

You're not allowed to ask that. Off to prison with you.

Having a cynical point of view free speech is a societal safety valve which allows for the release of concerns, hatreds, etc. thus reducing the likelihood of a revolution occurring.

you would rather be a puppet and have someone control everything you say and do???

You get my Stupid Question of the Month Award! Congratulations! I will now report your deviant question to the commisar!