With everything going on in the world, I sit on my soft burgundy couch in a constant state of confusion. Trump is tweeting about the fake news when he should be worried about his fake tan. Now, I understand living in the Digital Age means one needs to be sure of their source of information, but this goes further than just the internet, since several news broadcasts have been accused of reporting false news. Even more daunting, is trying to find out how the bill on Net Neutrality is going to affect the nation. Yet, the confusion turns into a scary sick feeling when I read that Trump’s administration handed the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a list of seven words that are banned from being used in their reports.

When restrictions on words and access to information are put into place worse things are to follow. Remember–Hitler used censorship to make sure the German people only heard or read what the Nazis approved.

I am sure everyone has read the list of words to be replaced with something suitable to Trump’s administration, but I am going to list them for those that might not know.

1. Science-based
2. Diversity
3. Fetus
4. Transgender
5. Vulnerable
6. Evidence-based
7. Entitlement

Events like these scare me because this nation is on the road to destruction of the core principles that America once stood for. No, I am not talking religion. I am talking about censorship which goes against our constitutional rights as Americans! Trump likes to assert his freedom of speech on Twitter, but he wants to censor what words the CDC can use in their documents. As a writer, I think any time bans or limits are placed on a person’s words they have less power. What’s more discerning is the reasoning behind this specific list of words. Will there be more lists of banned words for other national organizations?

When restrictions on words and access to information are put into place, worse things are to follow. Remember–Hitler used censorship to make sure the German people only heard or read what the Nazis approved. I am not necessarily saying Trump is the next Hitler. I am only using Hitler as an example of where censorship can lead. I ask you, my readers, to think for yourselves, ask questions, research, and stand up when something seems wrong.