U.S. Suffers if Dissent is Considered 'a Bad Thing'

Published on Sunday, April 2, 2006 by Clarion-Ledger (Mississippi)

U.S. Suffers if Dissent is Considered 'a Bad Thing'

by Marc M. Harrold

Ours is not an era that values dissent. The current political landscape is one of deeply entrenched partisan alliances instead of deeply held personal or political beliefs and ideologies. Gone is the day where we can even loosely ascribe classically liberal views to mainstream Democrats or classic conservatism to Republicans. When did dissent become a bad thing? The "if you aren't with us, you are against us" mantra seems to now be applicable not only to those nations we fear might harbor and assist our terrorist enemies, but also to those within our nation's borders who are out of step with the current administration's dictates; in many cases seeking the same "end" yet espousing far different "means." Bumper Stickers Abound Thomas Jefferson once stated: "Dissent is the highest form of patriotism." On a recent road-trip, I encountered many cars with bumper stickers all over the political and social spectrum. Although my respect for the presidential office causes me to immensely dislike the simple "F--- the President" stickers, I still traveled our land with pride that any citizen could display one without fear of direct governmental reprisal. I had to laugh out loud at the "Somewhere in Texas a Village is Missing its Idiot" sticker, and admire the creativity of numerous others, regardless of the esteem with which I held their message. And, of course, there were a plethora of the "We Support the Troops" ribbon-magnets and stickers in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes. I wondered how many of the people who displayed this sentiment did so because they actively advocate the return of the troops and the immediate end of the war, or some other plan of action that differs from that of the Bush administration? Dissent is not an annoyance. It is a vital part of our democratic republic, one that is more, not less, crucial for a superpower such as the United States, where the stakes are so high should extreme nationalism pervade. While there is great value in many forms to the expression of dissent, and the rejection of "popular" ideas, within American political and social culture, one that is often overlooked is that dissent is one of the major forces that has kept the United States from falling into the same type of super or extreme nationalism (fascism being the most potent example) that has caused many of the great struggles in world history. Ideas 'Test' Constants The Constitution, through its checks and balances, and by way of the Bill of Rights, was ingenuous in the manner that power was de-centralized, between the federal government and the states generally and between the branches of government specifically. We must also preserve "de-centralized" power, access and attention to dissent and unpopular speech and expression. If America is a democratic experiment, as I believe it is, ideas are the variables that must "test" any constants set forth by the Constitution and our political processes and traditions. Jefferson was right. Dissent is not only a form of patriotism; it is, in many cases, the highest form. This controversy is not new. Slightly before my time, the "America: Love it or Leave It" sentiment was prevalent. Just as an individual who is fervently against the war could "Support the Troops" by wanting to bring them home, a person could "love" their country by staying and fighting for change. Nothing is more American or more patriotic. We should remember Mark Twain's words: "What luck for rulers that men do not think." Marc Harrold is counsel for national programs and a visiting professor at the National Center for Justice and the Rule of Law at the University of Mississippi School of Law. He is a regular contributing columnist to The Clarion Ledger. His e-mail address is: mharrold@olemiss.edu. Visit the Web site http://www.ncjrl.org/