When not attacking each other’s character, our presidential candidates are slugging it out over several very contentious public policy issues, from trade and taxes to immigration and energy development. These are incredibly important matters to the future of our economy and our country. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce should know because we’re right in the middle of most of them.

But during this election season, Americans should not lose sight of another critical issue facing our nation — a coordinated attack on the building blocks of American society. I’m talking about the right to free speech, to due process and to take a risk, fail and try again.