09 January, 2021

What Democrats SHOULD Do Next

After they’ve tackled the election integrity issue, Democrats should move immediately to classify Facebook and Twitter as essential utilities. That would mean that neither would be able to ban verified accounts, or even limit posts by them.

Something like 75 million Americans said they use Facebook as their primary news source. You may not. I may not. But if that many people do, then it must be possible to hear all viewpoints there. This will be another way to allow people to believe in our elections.

Also, as I’ve documented many times, this is a serious freedom of speech issue. Now, I’m not claiming that it’s a First Amendment issue. That only applies to government entities. Even as an essential utility, they are free to run afoul of the First. It may be a Fourteenth Amendment issue, however. Hard to see that conservatives are getting equal protection under the law right now.

And like the issue on election integrity, if the Democrats refuse to tackle this one, it says that they don’t have a problem with Big Tech censorship.

That should make you scared. Very scared.

Remember your Neimöller.

First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a socialist.

Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a trade unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
    Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me

This is what cancel culture and the crackdowns on free speech are all about. You may not care that some people are being silenced, because you think they’re hateful or spreading disinformation. But next it will be someone else who is described as hateful. And then someone else. And eventually it will be you.

Forget slippery slopes here. We’re halfway down the mountain already. I fully expect the Democrats to do nothing, because those in power are happy with the situation.

Today I weep for America.

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