Stand by the country, not just the leader

In the United States, speaking up is not just a right — it is our fundamental civic duty.

President Theodore Roosevelt was clear: to announce there must be no criticism of the President “is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public.” Patriotism does not mean agreement; it means fidelity to the principles on which this nation was built.

Those principles run through American history. George Washington warned his troops if freedom of speech were taken away, we could be “led, like sheep to the slaughter.” Thomas Jefferson was even clearer: “Our liberty depends on the freedom of the press and, once it is limited, it is lost.”

This belief has crossed parties and generations. In his first term's farewell address Jan. 19, 2021, President Donald Trump affirmed a principle long shared across American history: “At the center of this heritage is also a robust belief in free expression, free speech and open debate. Only if we forget who we are and how we got here, could we ever allow political censorship and blacklisting to take place in America. It’s not even thinkable. Shutting down free and open debate violates our core values and most enduring traditions.”

Dwight D. Eisenhower urged Americans never to confuse honest dissent with disloyal subversion. Lyndon Johnson acknowledged enduring criticism — even satire — is part of the price of leadership in a free nation. Ronald Reagan reminded us freedom includes the right to question and change the established way of doing things.

When we speak up — at city council, the school board or during coffee with neighbors — we honor that tradition. In small towns like ours, voices still matter.

As Roosevelt also said, “Patriotism means standing by the country” not by any single leader.

Let’s never forget that distinction — and let’s speak clearly when our conscience calls.

Payton Fletcher

Granbury