I don’t get into politics that often, but this isn’t necessarily so much of politics as it is questioning our own rights in the United States. Because Congress hasn’t been stupid enough lately, they’re wanting to continue to basically censor what they don’t like and what Congressional Members should and shouldn’t do. The latest shining example? Congress is trying to stop two Congressmen from actually talking to the people via Twitter and Qik.

Congressman John Culberson (R) of Texas and Tim Ryan (D) of Ohio have been using Twitter and Qik to their benefit of actually getting their word out onto the internet and talking to people in addition to listening to them. This is an absolutely astounding turn of events from the usual Congressional Members as they don’t really engage with the public on the internet (or most places, for that matter) unless they have a public statement prepared. On Twitter, it’s all about psuedo real-time discussions. On Qik, it’s speak now or forever hold your peace.

Well, the Democrats have a different position on their usage (ironic since Tim Ryan is a Democrat?). They want to ban Congressional Members from uploading content outside of the house.gov domain, essentially keeping all information inside until they can all release details on their own schedule. If they get their way, websites will have to go by government regulations before Members could post. What they don’t realize is that this infringes on one key factor: the First Amendment.

So, you’re saying that freedom of speech (and press in this case) extends to everyone (yeah…) except if you are a Congressional Member? You mean Members aren’t normal U.S. Citizens like you and me?

I believe it says somewhere in that piece of paper that you have destroyed called the United States Constitution it states that all citizens of the United States of America are entitled to their Bill of Rights, including freedom of speech. A requirement to be a Congressional Member is that you have to be a Citizen of the United States of America. See where I’m going? Complete the circle… I’ll give you time.

Bingo! They are entitled to the same rights that we are all entitled to. In fact, I think all members should have a Twitter or Qik account just so they start interacting with citizens more and actually get back to what this country is all about: By the people, for the people.

Let’s make this an outcry. Make the media see it. If our own Congress won’t see the problem with this, We the People need to make this problem bigger and more apparent because without us, this is one more step in the wrong direction.

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U.S. Congressman John Culberson