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