Why can't Americans understand that "freedom" doesn't always mean "unconditional freedom"?

Question

It seems that Americans feel that they can do anything they want without consequences, so long as it doesn't immediatly hurt anyone. Some examples of this are: Have as many children as they want, use as much gas as they want, eat as much as you want...the list goes on and on.

It's great that we are a rich country, but the more we consume, means the less there is for the future. It seems endless now, but the oil age will run out eventually.

Does anyone see this as selfish? I know you probably think I am a bleeding heart liberal...I'm not. If you committed a violent crime, I would support your death penalty. It's just that I woke up and did some research a few years ago.

What we do now, affects everyone in the world in the future. I hope I remember to laugh when it costs too much to fill up even my small car. I am definitely not above saying, "I told you so..."

You are right!! It does happen elsewhere too and it is just as dispicable. However, it's outside of my sphere of influence. I can only do what I can here...

Answer 1

First of all, there are 300,000,000 Americans. For you to state your question the way you do implies that ALL Americans do what you state, and that is FALSE. I know that there are limits to freedom - I can't go in to a crowded theater and yell "FIRE!", I can't threaten to assasinate the president, I can't burn my neighbors house down - there are LIMITS and I KNOW IT. You are implying by the way you state your question that NOBODY in all of the USA knows this, and that is BULL-oney!!! I don't use as much gas as I want because it costs money better spent on something else (like FOOD), I don't eat as much as I want (at least, not all the time because I know the consequences would be obesity, an increased of heart disease, cancer and diabetes). I support the ELIMINATION of the internal combustion engine EVENTUALLY as it is not practical to do it in the short term (and you will note that hybrid-engine cars are becoming more and more popular in the USA). So when it comes to you telling me "I told you so" you didn't tell me anything I didn't already know, so I wouldn't be so smug about it if I were you.

Answer 2

I agree we need to conserve more. Some day oil will run run out. If we have not found a renewable energy source by then we will really be in major trouble.
Why do we as a nation in general think bigger, newer, or flasher in an item makes it better? I'll admit it is nice to look but that doesn't mean I feel the need to buy every thing in sight. Truly some day on some of the things I see I would like to be able to buy them the answer is yes BUT I don't need the latest of an item to be happy.
If today's generation (I mean under 30 years old) had to live the way my grandparents and my parents did growing up there is no way they would make it. They don't know how to take care of themselves. No I don't mean going to the corner grocery store. I mean how to work on a farm and grow their own food.
God help them if it did happen but if we don't do something now as a people to conserve our resources then it could go back 100 years in the blink of an eye.
No I am not a bleeding heart liberal nor am I survivalist. I am trying to be a good steward of what resources are available to me.

Answer 3

I happen to agree (somewhat) with you but I'm sure you're aware that not only Americans do this? Arrogance and greed are universal...not just American.

In some African nations, there are people starving while the heads of the government are sitting on gold thrones and living the high life. And I'm sure this goes on in lots of other countries, as well. A lot of Americans are sending their money to "overseas charities" that support these abuses in Africa.

So what do you say to that?

Some people just don't think of anyone but themselves. It's human nature...and very bad. But, if everyone were the same exact way, what a dull and boring world this would be.

Answer 4

'Fat cats' don't want to change their gluttonous ways.

We're only 5% of the world's population, yet we squander 55% of the world's resources. We throw all of our garbage into landfills because we're too damned lazy to REuse, REduce, and REcycle.

We believe "freedom of speech" means being able to use all the vulgar words we want, at any time, without regard for anyone else's feelings. Yet, few of us use "freedom of speech" to criticize our government.

We waste more than most other societies because we are too selfish and self-absorbed to care about future societies, even those of our own descendants. So what if they have to breathe polluted air or drink dirty water? That won't concern us because we'll be dead.

We believe the "right to bear arms" means being able to own a bazooka so we can blow the head off an innocent animal at 300 yards. The "right to bear arms" gives us a Constitutional right to take up arms against a tyrannical and oppressive government, just as our founding fathers did. But none of us will do that; we want to bear arms strictly for purposes of machismo.

We pooh-pooh the idea of global warming because it might mean not being able to drive gas-guzzling SUVs or build more smoke-belching factories anymore, and God knows we don't want to sacrifice our lifestyles just for the sake of the planet!

We think "freedom of the press" means having a conservative-biased propaganda machine where idiotic yuppies shout their toxic poison and brainwash all of their 'ditto head' followers. Freedom of the press was intended to create a forum which would allow citizens to speak out against their government, not where government would control everything that's said and read by loudmouth Christian conservative propagandists. Our press was never intended to be a replica of the Hitler propaganda machines, spreading hatred, bigotry and political misinformation.

We Americans are hated world wide for our arrogance, stupidity and wastefulness. No wonder other nations believe their only defense against the world's new 'evil empire' is their own nuclear weapons of mass destruction. -RKO-

Answer 5

I agree with you. I think this is why so many other countries hate us and would lik us all to die. They see us as self absorbed brats wasting all the worlds resources at their expense.
Is this all true- not neccessarily but they view us that way nontheless.
We do need to wake up as a nation and conserve more- recycle more - stop complaining and letting the other countries get poorer and poorer- there is enough for everyone if we will stop being so selfish and share.

Answer 6

As a foreigner i still look up to the US for many reasons. Just to mention one, ability to live with decent services. But what you have mention is so very compelling. yes the "oil" products are killing our eart and ourselves and life continues without many changes. Time for people everywhere to wisen up and realize what you are saying because w e cant continue depleting the earth or behaving this way, the way of greed. thsi applies not only to the US but to many other countries.

Answer 7

I think the primary reason is because our leaders are dishonest about how poorly the country is doing financially. This reinforces the notion that "U.S.A. is #1" and causes us to consume more. It's a horrible cycle, and it makes me want to move to England. It's been my impression that people there have a much better sense of their politicians' words and intentions, and don't aquiesce to whatever they say.

Answer 8

Start with yourself. Stop using hte computer, as that electriciy has to come from somewhere. Stop using paper, water, electricity, and cars. Use only your feet and a bike to get where you need to go. Once you live a completely consumer-free existence you can start preaching to the rest of us.

Answer 9

Who sets the limits? Government? After 200,000,000 people dead from government in the 20th Century, only a fool would trust the government with such enormous power.

Answer 10

Actually, seeing as you are downplaying individual freedoms, you will probably be seen as a conservative.

People are extremely selfish about so many things. It's very scary. I doubt this trend will do anything but get worse unfortunately.