The level of intolerance on the nation's college campuses for "things that are not so-called politically correct" is growing and threatening the nation's freedom, GOP candidate Ben Carson said Thursday.
"It seems like we're not really emphasizing the whole concept of freedom of speech, and freedom of expression, and most importantly, of open dialogue," Carson told
Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program. "You know, it's okay to disagree with people, but it's not okay to try to destroy them."
A more mature way to work out the issues would be to sit down and put the rational for beliefs on a table, and discuss them, he continued, but that is not happening.
"People are so frightened of the politically correct police that they're willing to do things that are irrational in order to appease them," Carson said. "And I believe it's going to be necessary for those people who truly believe in our system, who believe in our Constitution, who believe in the principles and values that made America great to be willing to stand up. You know, they continue to capitulate all the time."
And as a result, he said, the nation will get pushed "further and further into the secular progressive philosophy."
"We don't want that, but it requires courage," Carson said. "You have to be brave in order to be free."
Carson also discussed his plans for ensuring veterans have a choice when it comes to their health care.
"I've suggested that we allow them to have health savings accounts, which we subsidize, which will allow them to go to any place that they want to go to. And we ought to be delighted to take care of them," pointing out that his plan would allow veterans to seek care from the Veterans Administration, if they wish.
Sandy Fitzgerald ✉
Sandy Fitzgerald has more than three decades in journalism and serves as a general assignment writer for Newsmax covering news, media, and politics.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.