How did difficult to assail ideas like Freedom of Speech come about? I mean, speech can obviously be dangerous, lead to actions, incite, etc. But, unlikeable s

How did difficult to assail ideas like Freedom of Speech come about? I mean, speech can obviously be dangerous, lead to actions, incite, etc. But, unlikeable speech will garner some support when repressed because freedom of speech must be preserved. When it comes to surveillance and a lot of other liberty relevant stuff, we don't seem to be able to draw lines. Regulations, promises and policies seem to be enough "as long is it doesn't get into the wrong hands." What we end up with is a predictable immediate slide. Surveillance laws enacted to allow authorities to pursue terrorists are used in general policing. Financial restrictions enacted to fight organized crime, and "money laundering" end up restricting financial freedoms of anyone getting caught up in the "risk review" dragnet and being denied basic financial services. Anyway, Germany and their living memory of the Stazi is a potential flag bearer for the freedoms that we are losing quickly.