Guest Commentary from Casey Anderson: Juan Williams, NPR & Free Speech

Last week, as you have undoubtedly heard in the media, Juan Williams was fired from his position as National Public Radio news analyst.  NPR claimed that it was not his proper role as a new analyst to communicate his personal opinions on air.  It is important to note that Williams is also a Fox News Contributor and it was during a Fox News Show, not an NPR broadcast, that Williams communicated his beliefs.

Blasphemer in the Temple of State

Williams stated he gets "nervous" whenever he sees someone in "Muslim garb" boarding a plane.  He went on to further communicate issues related to prejudice amongst other minorities.  Williams is a left-leaning Fox News Contributor who was making an appearance on The O'Reilly Factor news program when the comment was made.

What you are hearing in the media is mostly how it is unfair that somebody be fired for making known their conservative beliefs and being honest.  While this is a good discussion to be having.  There are two points that are missing from this national discussion.  The first discussion is whether or not the operator of a company should have the authority to fire an employee who they feel is not working under the guide of their role and responsibility or is negatively effecting the business at hand.  The second issue that is being avoiding is whether or not tax-payer dollars should be going to the National Public Radio.

National Proletariat Radio?

The choice is clear for limited government advocates: The government has no business managing the airwaves or managing a business that operates within those airwaves what-so-ever.  National Public Radio should be immediately defunded and property rights returned to citizens of this country.  It seems to this author that this should be an argument of the vast majority of citizens if you realize the underlying principle of avoiding government hindrance to the free-market.  If we have NPR functioning as a pseudo-propaganda arm of whichever socialist or fascist president happens to be in office in that term, it will surely promote an unfair playing field when comparing it to other media sources whether they be liberal or conservative.  How are radio hosts who actually have to earn their support ever going to compete with those who simply steal it through taxation?  I will also support the hard working Americans who grow their business through hard work and perseverance despite their political affiliations or ideologies.

The underlying principle is that government should not be in the business of convincing voters to support its failed policies.  Medicare and HHS recently announced a $30 million project to promote the benefits of the new Obamacare legislation in hopes of garnishing more support.  This is the biggest issue currently with Washington D.C., they feel we just are not educated enough on the issues.  So, when 70% of Americans oppose Obamacare, they pass it anyway and then spend your money (and your children's future) to convince you otherwise.  They also fire news analyst who offer contrary opinions.

However, with NPR being a largely publicly funded entity, it makes this issue more complicated.  Just as this administration has the authority to fire an employee they feel is not performing their duties appropriately, the next one will as well, and the following.  So, if Barack Obama is subsequently fired in 2012 and voters express a clear choice in the direction they want the administration and NPR to go - I expect we will not hear much bickering from the left when NPR is and rightly should be defunded.  Although I highly expect there will be rioting in the streets when the liberal left-leaning media does not have their way.

Casey Anderson-Campaign for Liberty Regional Coordinator