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I have kids to take care of. There are certain opinions I might have that I dare not discuss. I don't even dare say I have such opinions even without naming the

I have kids to take care of. There are certain opinions I might have that I dare not discuss. I don't even dare say I have such opinions even without naming them, that's how deep the impulse to self-censor goes. Let's just say I do, hypothetically. I would very much fear for the economic consequences of voicing various opinions. Even if they didn't lead to my termination at work, I'm certain they would prevent any kind of career advancement. I'm reasonably sure I can survive in the world without my opinions being known, or the changes I presumably would like to see not being made. In short, they win, I'll survive somehow, and my kids will eat. They'll also maybe learn that some things I might believe are not acceptable, and will have to think about that when choosing to believe them themselves. Certain ideas and people have definitively won the day, and it's now just survival mode for many.

alphapapa 9y ago
The question then is, will the world your children inherit be better or worse for people such as yourself holding their tongues. These free speech rights we technically have were not acquired without cost--on the contrary, they came at enormous cost in blood. Now we refrain from defending them because doing so might inconvenience us. Of course, it's easy for me to say this, sitting in front of a computer writing vague comments. Food for thought, especially for Americans the day after Independence Day.
- nsxwolf 9y ago
  I think most of the founders and revolutionaries didn't believe they were martyring themselves for a hopeless cause. The inconvenience here would be the total ruin of my family in exchange for the satisfaction of having spoke my mind on some issue, which isn't a good trade.