Should the 1st Amendment Protect people who hold political office when they are trying to sell outright falsity as truth?
Free speech is an important part of our Nation. The 1st Amendment should be treasured as it is one of the reasons why our Nation has survived despite the growing atmosphere of ignorance. However is it possible that free speech may have to be limited among those with a position of influence and power? Should there be a way to curb speech that is patently false from elected officials or individuals within government? Let's examine some reasons why this might be necessary to take them to task.
Todd Akin who is running for the Senate is currently a Congressman . Yet he has gone on record and stated that a woman cannot get pregnant from a legitimate rape. Firstly what the hell is legitimate rape or not? and secondly this is a biological falsehood. Akin is basically parroting a false theory from a doctor who should have his medical license revoked. However Akin is not some crazy individual muttering in the street, he is an elected official who should have the knowledge and reasoning skills to know this false. I think this is not a case of mere free speech this is a case of spreading patently false information as the truth. This is something dangerous it has nothing to do with speaking your mind but instead it is an outright lie peddled to the people of this country and he has more influence than the common man or woman does, shouldn't we be able to hold him accountable?
Another example and Why we need to hold leaders accountable is the federal judge in Texas who has proposed a complete falsehood in stating that an Obama election will lead to Civil War with UN troops. Again this is information that is completely unprovable, and patently false again this has nothing to do with conservative ideals or trying to argue a viewpoint, this is an official with power of the people spreading lies wantonly an individual who can actually influence society in general. There should be a way that we can stop this madness.