Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Tom Horne released a video message to schools across the state this week, marking Constitution Day and emphasizing the importance of individual liberty and freedom of speech as outlined in the United States Constitution.
In his statement, Horne reflected on how the nation’s founders prioritized individual rights over majority rule. “One of the interesting things about the Constitution is that it demonstrates that the founders valued individual liberty above other democratic values, such as majority rule. We know this because if the majority passes a bill that unconstitutionally impinges on individual freedom, the United States Supreme Court, established by the Constitution, has the power to invalidate that law. This is true even though a majority of citizens might favor that law. Individual liberty takes precedence, even overruling the majority.”
Horne highlighted freedom of speech as a core right protected by the Constitution. “One of the rights established by the Constitution is freedom of speech. This right was so valued by our founders that it is extended by the language of the constitution to all people, not just all citizens.”
He expressed concern about recent survey results indicating some college students support shutting down opposing viewpoints. “A disturbing recent trend has been surveys of college students where majorities think it’s all right to shut down somebody saying something you disagree with. This is very much contrary to our American ideals. He who wants respect must show respect. The concept of our Constitution is that if someone says something you disagree with, you have the right to express your own view and hopefully the truth will emerge from everyone having the right to contribute to the dialogue.”
Horne also discussed how engaging respectfully with differing opinions benefits individuals intellectually: “Respectfully responding to a contrary point of view is good mental exercise. Without that exercise people are not at their best in developing their own views.”
Recalling an incident at a local museum, Horne said: “I remember when someone did a display at the Phoenix Art Museum where you had to walk over an American flag to look at a toilet. I was outraged. But as a result of this, there was more enthusiastic display of patriotism than I have ever seen before or since in the City of Phoenix. It was the outrageous display that caused people to show their patriotism.”
He contrasted America’s approach with repressive regimes elsewhere: “There have been dictators or oppressive systems in other countries that have punished and even killed their own people for daring to express a contrary point of view or living their lives as they wish. By contrast, the United States has relied on its Constitutional foundation to defend freedom and protect the cause of liberty both in this country and throughout the world.”
