The first amendment to the U.S. Constitution guarantees us freedom of speech. Written over 200 years ago, it says that “Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people to peaceably assemble.” Sarah abundantly exercised her freedom of speech.

I received a telephone call from her asking me to help with her prescription drug bills. One in particular bill had doubled from last year’s amount. She was distraught.

I do not blame her for being upset as paying twice as much as last year is disturbing. However, the company with whom she was dealing was within its rights to raise their prices. Doubling the cost seems more like price gouging according to Sarah.

I saw her point, but I could offer her little solace. We talked about alternative ways to save money and about government assistance programs that help people with low and moderate incomes. This did little to comfort her, though. “Why do I fill out all these forms and still have to pay twice as much?” she asked me.

Her husband was a veteran, having served in the Second World War. Her son served in Vietnam. She felt her family had made sacrifices in defending this country. Now she was disappointed and had lost confidence in this country’s ability and desire to control the high cost of living.

I agreed there are many older people, and younger ones too, having a hard time paying every day bills. “I’m just one person, how could I solve these issues?” she wanted to know.

Sarah has a right to freedom of speech, and she used it liberally that day. She has a right to express her disappointment and outrage at high prices. I listened to it all.

She told me she did not have much faith in government officials any more to help her with this issue. I hope she is wrong. Maybe we are all a little cynical these days.

Cynical or not, we still have our Constitutional rights. For over 200 years, our Constitution has given us basic rights; among them are the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to assemble peaceably.

I’m sure that Sarah will continue to express herself in order to try to change things. She will use her freedom of speech to express her concerns. It is another important lesson to remember.

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