I'd would have to agree that governments investigate their citizens when they say things that are strange or potentially dangerous. The US does it to a far greater extent than most Europeans would (other than neo-Nazi groups in Germany, where you're probably on par with the KKK here anyway). You just need to get out more.

2. You do realize the ability to speak out against the government is the only thing that keeps the government in check here in the US. Without that ability (which is too little used nowadays), we would quickly come under the control of tyrants. Questioning the choices of every one of our leaders is our civil duty, the thing that keeps our union together and our Constitution alive.

The time I have spent in other countries around the world was in the service of the U.S., believe me – if people in other countries(including all those you have mentioned) espouse anti governmental ideas such as what the "TEA" party movement has done, they will be watched and "looked into" in ways that you can never imagine. Communist China has been working around the clock trying to find ways to eavesdrop everyone on the internet, along with Russia, the U.K., France and even our own U.S. Right now, we are the only country on this planet that has laws controlling our government – all others have laws controlling the population. There is a VERY big difference.

Classical liberalism look it up. Just because there aren't many political voices that espouse it doesn't mean we're all dead.

I've been to Europe. They don't restrict free speech for or against the government in any of the Western European governments (Denmark, Switzerland, etc). Germany only restricts people from supporting the Nazi party ideology. France and Italy do have some suspicious habits restricting the press, largely because the media companies are either owned by the government or by private individuals who are in their governments. Australia or NZ don't have explicit Constitutional protection, but they don't have laws that restrict it either. Hong Kong still has it. South Africa. India… The only thing I know of that's specifically restricted in the ROK is supporting the North Korean government. People know a good idea when they see one.

Tain't no such animule as a "Classical Liberal" . . . The Marxist led Progressives killed them all off over a hundred years ago. They are just now getting around to the "Classic Conservative" folks.

Don't you ever listen to Glen Beck? :p

FYI – The same goes for the Liberal Republicans.

Just my not-so-humble opinion. B)