Just before he voted on June 20, 2008 for H.R. 6304, legislation that guts the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, Republican Representative Randy Forbes of Virginia took to the floor of the House to identify the real problem with America.

What, pray tell, is the real problem with America? Could it be members of Congress who swear a solemn oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States, then turn around and vote for bills that undercut that same Constitution?

No, no. For Randy Forbes, the problem is the Constitution itself. It’s not just that Randy Forbes disrespects the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution. He has a problem with the First Amendment. The real problem with America, according to Randy Forbes, is that people are speaking their minds:

Today, when the sun comes up on America, there are all too many people who spend all too much time criticizing and apologizing for this nation, trying to verbally tear it down.

In Randy Forbes’ America, everything would be hunky dory if everyone only used their right to free speech to praise America, if everyone only used their right to free speech to agree with what America’s leadership is doing, if everyone only used their free speech they way Randy Forbes would like. In other words, Randy Forbes is only willing to support free speech as long as it isn’t free at all.

Well I tell you what, Representative Forbes: you can have my free speech right after you kiss my assignation of liberty with the individual goodbye. It’s locked firmly in my mind, and I simply can’t recall where I placed the key.