Should Ex-Presidents Be Allowed to Speak Out About the Current President?

The last time I checked ex-presidents were people, too. Therefore, like everyone in this country, according to the Constitution, an ex-president has the right to free speech,too. That would include speaking out about the actions and/or policies of a sitting President.

That doesn't make it a popular thing to do. I, frankly, have no problem with it. It would be like asking whether anyone should speak out against their replacement at a job, We're just human. We all have tendencies to comment on what has replaced us. In politics, especially, each individual holding the top spot is significantly different than the next one. That's how one gets elected and then other one doesn't. I'd like to feel more informed about those differences and comments by an ex- about the sitting president seems like a logical way to expose differences.

I welcome the honesty of an ex-president, such as Carter or Clinton. I welcome the discussions, evaluations and re-evaluations that will ensue because I believe it can only strengthen this country and raise people's awareness. Every aspect of a presidency is political and the more facets of a presidency that can be examined, the more likely that people will formulate opinions and perhaps act on them, at least at the ballot box.

What could possibly be the downside of this argument? Are we afraid of something? Are we worried about looking "tacky". I've traveled overseas and let me say that would be like closing the barn door after the cow is out. Everyone I spoke to, at least in western Europe, thinks the U.S. has lost its leadership powers and taken a serious, misguided detour.Its time to do something to gain back some respect, not spin our wheels wondering if more information is too much information. Is there any such thing?