You assumed falsely that I was refering to myself when I spoke about
views that are not expressed.  I write my Congressmen quite frequently
and do make my own views expressed.  I was refering to other groups and
individuals that, for whatever reason (poverty, lack of awareness about
the issues being debated, etc, etc) are disenfrachised.  Yes, ideally
the government is us and we all have the opportunity to express our
opinions.  But the reality is that some people think they will not be
heard or that their opinions do not matter, so they do not speak out.
Somehow, they need to be encouraged to speak up and the government needs
to be responsive when they do.

> ----------
> From:         Robert T. Handy[SMTP:[log in to unmask]]
> Reply To:     Museum discussion list
> Sent:         Thursday, October 23, 1997 11:49AM
> To:   [log in to unmask]
> Subject:      Re: "Bill of No Rights"--Commentary
>
> Douglass, Amy wrote:
> >
> > I agree that the Bill of Rights does not guarantee that the
> government
> > will promote certain points of view; it only guarantees that those
> views
> > may be expressed by those individuals or groups that hold them.
> > However, the problem comes in when the government promotes certain
> views
> > in the form of its policies, programs and laws at the expense of
> others.
> > I'm not sure what the solution for this is.  Perhaps all that we can
> do
> > is make sure that all points of view are given equal opportunity to
> be
> > voiced before a specific policy, program or law is put into place.
> I
> > think we're still a long way from getting to that point.
> >
> > (As always, the views expressed here are my own and not that of my
> > employer.)
> >
> > Amy A. Douglass
> > Tempe Historical Museum
> > [log in to unmask]
>
> When's the last time you voted or wrote a letter expressing your
> opinion
> to you legislators?  Have you ever encountered the word "pluralism?"
> The "government" is us.  Legislators attempt to strike a balance among
> the multiple interests of their constituents (including, sometimes,
> their own views).  They cannot do a very good job if we don't express
> our opinions to them in an articulate and rational form.  Keep in mind
> that silence is an endorsement.
>
> Bob Handy
> Brazoria County Historical Museum
> Angleton, Texas
>
> http://www.bchm.org
>