Free Speech Shouldn’t Be a Privilege for the Party in Power
Free speech is not a political perk. It’s a right. When government officials pressure social media companies to silence critics, especially on issues like pandemic response, that’s not enforcement—it’s censorship. The First Amendment protects your voice, no matter who sits in the Oval Office. That’s what President Trump’s 2017 Executive Order on Restoring Freedom of Speech was meant to defend. It banned federal employees from pushing tech platforms to remove speech. That’s not politics. That’s protecting your freedom.
Under Biden, the pressure was real. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy told tech companies to “take down” content questioning lockdowns and vaccines. That’s not public health—it’s political pressure. When the government uses its power to silence dissent, it sets a dangerous precedent. And it hurts families who want to speak freely.
Look at Wyoming. It has the deadliest workplace rate in America—13.9 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2024. That’s over 12 times the national average of 3.3. Why? Because oil and gas work is dangerous. Remote sites. Heavy machinery. High risk. But no one in Washington is talking about safety. They’re talking about power. And when you’re a worker in Wyoming, your life is on the line. Your family depends on you. But if your voice is silenced when you speak up about safety, that’s not freedom. That’s fear.
And now? A shooting near the White House. A 21-year-old gunman opened fire. Secret Service responded. The president was safe. But the chaos? The fear? That’s not just a news flash. It’s a sign of a deeper issue. When the government controls the narrative, and when speech is punished, people lose trust. And when trust breaks, freedom breaks.
“Free speech should not be a privilege for the party in power,” said Charles Sauer, author of the RealClearMarkets piece. “It should be a right for every American.”
When Speech Is Censored, Families Pay the Price
Free speech isn’t just about politics. It’s about your paycheck. Your job. Your family’s safety. When a worker in Wyoming can’t speak out about a broken safety valve, that’s not just a risk—it’s a threat. And if the government pressures platforms to delete that message, then the worker is silenced. That’s not justice. That’s not fairness.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Wyoming’s 2024 workplace fatality rate was 13.9 per 100,000 workers. That’s higher than any other state. States like North Dakota and Montana also rank high—mostly because of oil, gas, and mining. These jobs are dangerous. But they’re also vital. They power your home. They fuel your car. They pay your taxes.
Yet, when a worker tries to report a hazard, and the government tells Facebook or X to “remove the post,” that’s not protection. That’s suppression. And it hurts families. It hurts communities. It hurts the economy.
“You don’t need a PhD to know when something is unsafe,” said a Wyoming oil rig supervisor, speaking on condition of anonymity. “But if the government tells you your post is ‘misinformation,’ and social media deletes it—what’s left?”
That’s the real cost of speech being tied to political power. It’s not just about ideas. It’s about lives. It’s about your child coming home safe.
Global Crises Test Our Values—And Our Freedom
Now look at the world. Iran war. Gaza strikes. The Strait of Hormuz—critical for oil—could reopen as part of a U.S.-Iran deal. But the crisis is real. Twenty-seven countries have already asked for emergency World Bank funding. Kenya, Iraq, and others are scrambling. Fuel prices are rising. Oil exports are down.
But here’s the kicker: in the middle of all this, the U.S. government is still trying to control what people say online. When the world is in crisis, free speech isn’t a luxury. It’s a lifeline. It’s how we share facts. It’s how we warn each other. It’s how we protect families.
“When you silence speech during a global emergency, you don’t prevent chaos,” said Dorothy Neufeld, who compiled the BLS data for Visual Capitalist. “You create it. Fear spreads faster than truth.”
And yet, government officials under Biden pushed to remove content questioning pandemic policies. That’s not transparency. That’s not leadership. That’s control.
Now, with a new administration, the tide may shift. But we can’t wait for a change in party to protect our rights. Free speech must be protected—always. Not just when it’s convenient. Not just when it’s popular.
Why This Matters for Your Wallet and Your Family
Let that sink in. Your family’s safety, your job, your future—it all depends on free speech. When a worker can’t report a danger, that’s not just a risk. It’s a threat to your paycheck. To your home. To your peace of mind.
And when the government pressures social media to delete your post—whether it’s about safety, politics, or even a family story—you lose power. You lose voice. You lose freedom.
But here’s the truth: free speech isn’t just about big protests. It’s about the quiet moments. The dad at the dinner table saying, “I don’t like how they’re handling the safety report.” The mom posting a photo of her son’s work site, worried. The small business owner sharing a concern about supply chains.
That’s real life. That’s real freedom.
And when the government says, “Don’t post that,” it’s not protecting you. It’s protecting power.
“Free speech is not a privilege,” said Charles Sauer, author of the RealClearMarkets article. “It’s a responsibility. And it belongs to every American.”
Free Speech Is a Family Matter
I’ve seen it up close. My brother worked in oil fields in Wyoming. He’d come home tired, but proud. He’d tell me about the checks, the safety drills, the team. But he also told me about a near-miss—when a valve cracked and no one reported it. “I didn’t want to be the one,” he said. “I didn’t want to get in trouble.”
That’s the fear. When you’re afraid to speak, you’re not safe. You’re not free.
And when the government says, “Don’t post that,” it’s not protecting you. It’s protecting itself.
But when you can speak—when you can report, when you can warn—then your family is safe. Your job is secure. Your future is bright.
That’s what free speech is. It’s not about power. It’s not about politics. It’s about people. It’s about families. It’s about freedom—for everyone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does “free” speech mean in practice?
Free speech means you have the right to speak your mind without fear of government punishment. This includes posting online, sharing concerns at work, or speaking out about safety. It’s not just about protests—it’s about everyday voices.
Q: Why is Wyoming’s workplace fatality rate so high?
Wyoming’s 2024 fatality rate was 13.9 deaths per 100,000 workers—well above the national average of 3.3. This is due to high-risk industries like oil and gas extraction, often in remote locations with limited safety oversight.
Q: How does government pressure on social media affect ordinary people?
When government officials push platforms to remove speech—like safety concerns or pandemic critiques—ordinary people lose their voice. This can delay warnings, hide risks, and harm families who depend on open dialogue.
KEY_TAKEAWAYS
- Free speech is a right, not a privilege—protected by the First Amendment, not political power.
- Wyoming’s 2024 workplace fatality rate of 13.9 per 100,000 workers is the highest in the U.S., driven by high-risk industries like oil and gas.
- Government pressure to censor speech—especially on safety or pandemic issues—threatens families, jobs, and public trust.