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Entering the Spiral of Silence

Contributed by: DR. SEAN REIF D.C. on 4/21/2008

During some eras, quite robust political debate has been tolerated; but during others, political orthodoxy has prevailed. A reasonableview of Northglenn's public policy in the current period is that FREEDOM has been restricted; widespread political repression is beginning to materialize.

Although Communists no longer represent a threat that we Americans perceived in the early 1950s, the underlying assumption that a united public will most likely get what it "wants", to the extent that people agree on identifying the threats to the political system. A consensus existed that the dominant threat to the American way of life was from the Communists, domestic and international. Sympathizers of Communism are not far behind.

The Northglenn City Planning Commission's unwillingness to allow minority viewpoints to be expressed and advocated appears to be highly destructive. Ordinary citizens have repressed each other. The liberals have provided strong disincentives for expression of anything remotely resembling a conservative viewpoint. Some citizens, in fact, do not feel "FREE" to speak their political minds.

Within such a political climate, citizens often learn to "keep their mouths shut," which can create a spiral of silence in which those holding minority viewpoints are fearful of expression, since they, too, perceive their own views as "unusual" which in turn leads to "silence", which makes minority viewpoints even less commonly voiced, which in turn leads to "silence," and so on. Coercion at its worst.

To the extent that a City's political culture does not encourage expression of varieties of points of views, political freedom is unlikely to be widespread. We as citizens of Northglenn should be ENCOURAGED to "proclaim our views", lest we swallow, and "keep quiet", until ONE view dominates the public service; and the others disappear from public awareness, and his supporters become mute.

If Commissioners become surrounded by people who think so much like they do, they will be less aware of the legitimate arguments on the other side of contemporary political controversies. As long as intolerance exists, citizens will be fearful for their political freedom.

Political freedom has diminished in Northglenn. Listen to me, because you'll see I'm right.


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Submitted By: DR. SEAN REIF D.C.
posted on 4/21/2008 @ 3:04:55 PM
Rated Story
PRIVILEGE & IMMUNITIES OF US CITIZENSHIP - Citizens traveling throughout the Country will receive the same treatment as the citizens of other states through which they pass. Right to protection form State government, right to possess and acquire all kinds of property, travel through, for trade, agriculture, or professional endeavors, claim writ of habeas corpus; the right to sue; and defend action in court; and receive same tax treatment. RIGHT TO VOTE; right to travel, right to enter public lands, right to petition Congress for redress reparations compensations for a wrong; right to inform the national government of a violation of its laws; right to receive protection from violence when in Federal custody; the right too free access to US seaports; the right to engage in business with the functions of the US government, right to access to Federal courts.
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CONTRIBUTOR INFORMATION

DR. SEAN REIF D.C.

THORNTON , CO

DR. SEAN REIF D.C. has posted 998 stories and 1148 comments since joining on 9/14/2005. DR. SEAN REIF D.C. 's average story rating is 3.08.
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