Opinions are tricky things. Each individual has their own unique viewpoint, and everyone forms their own opinion as a result. Some opinions agree and work off of each other, while others violently clash. The only reason these opinions are allowed to coexist is a mutual understanding and respect in which every person participates; everyone has the right to an opinion, and everyone should be treated as such.

However, it seems that people today are putting far too much faith into this social law. People have begun to assume that just because they have the right to an opinion, they should be able to express whatever they desire without backlash or criticism. Some people even think that an opinion not based on fact is just as valid as one that is, simply because they believe it to be so and because they have a right to that. Although everyone’s right to an opinion should be respected, the opinion itself is not always worthy of respect. Just because someone has the right to an opinion does not mean that their opinion is valid.

Opinions should be founded on fact. The only thing that should vary is what to do about said facts. There should not be a debate on the validity of facts, and an assertion of “alternative facts” should carry no weight. When I say the Trump Administration is borderline fascist, it is more than just my opinion. The behavior of Trump and his cabinet fits with every one of the fourteen points of fascism. There is no denying this fact, and saying “I don’t think Trump is a fascist because my opinion is valid no matter what” is completely unacceptable. A valid opinion to hold would be “He may match up with these signs of fascism, but I don’t think he has fascist intentions.” To say that he does not have fascist tendencies just because you “don’t feel like he does” is an opinion that deserves no respect.

Everyone should have the ability to maintain and voice an opinion. No one has more right to an opinion than someone else. However, not all opinions are equal. An opinion founded in reality and supported by facts will always be objectively better than one founded on emotions and bias. In order to progress in a country that is reverting back to the 1950s, people need to realize that fact is greater than feeling, and that an educated opinion is far superior to an untrue, regurgitated one.