The first amendment is not the end-all and be-all of 'free speech'. Heck, the literal phrasing is "Congress shall not abridging the freedom of speech". The fac

The first amendment is not the end-all and be-all of 'free speech'. Heck, the literal phrasing is "Congress shall not abridging the freedom of speech". The fact that congress is mentioned means that others can also abridge the freedom of speech. Note that 'abridge' means diminish in scope. If your boss says "If you say ducks are nice, you will be fired" that affects your freedom of speech. It isn't a first-amendment issue unless your boss is the government. But it remains someone inhibiting your speech.