The reason constitutions are relatively stable in the west is that people take them seriously and expect violations to be punished. You're more likely to violate the constitution if you think the people won't demand recourse. The constitutional tradition is really the more significant factor. Sadly, ours seems to be weakening.

> Consider any politician you disagree with deeply and ask yourself: if they could ban dissent from their views, wouldn't they?

I'm less concerned about politicians in the US and more about grassroots censorship from the political fringes.