In FEC v. Wisconsin Right to Life, however, the court allowed grassroots advocacy groups to … well, advocate. “When it comes to defining what speech qualifies as the functional equivalent of express advocacy subject to [McCain-Feingold’s] ban,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, “we give the benefit of the doubt to speech, not censorship.”

But that’s not as sweeping as it sounds. The court also left parts of McCain-Feingold intact, so we can expect other legal challenges.

In 1776, a group of patriots brave enough to defy the British Empire vowed to build a new and better country, one based on liberty. Because they stayed true to their principles, we’re Americans today.

This summer, politicians should ask themselves if they’re upholding their end of the bargain. Before they enact future bills, they ought to consider carefully whether each measure is constitutional. If not, it is their sworn duty under the Constitution to see that the measure does not become law.

Our policymakers shouldn’t wait for courts to “do the right thing.” Indeed, lawmakers should act to repeal unconstitutional laws. That may sound audacious and unlikely. But it’s nothing compared to what our founders went through. Defending our constitutional rights is a responsibility that falls on all of us as freeborn citizens of the greatest republic in history.