Was doing some calculations, and I realized I don't have much freedom. In order to move where i want to live it would cost more money, do what i want to do it would cost more money, say what i want to say it would cost more money, solve health problems i have it would cost more money.
America just doesn't seem a very free place for somewhere that is waging a big war for freedom. Seems we should change thet national anthem so it says, 'Land of the expensive and home of the upwardly mobile'. I suppose that the anthem would have to leave out mention of the millions who have no freedom at all, but who are necessary to make capitalism work.
2006-11-01 06:29:16 · 9 answers · asked by Jeremy 2 in Social Science ➔ Economics
Surprising amount of ignorance posted in response to this question.
For one, the idea that all, or even most, of the wealthy people worked hard for it. And now that the estate tax has been repealed, there are going to be a lot more jackass heirs running around.
Then there is the person that said I should get off my 'pie hole' and stop complaining. You can suck my d***. I work 60 hours a week in three different fields. In every one of them the paths to advancement are filled with huge arbitrary obstacles, set there by wealthy people or just capitalism itself.
Then there is the person that said a bum is free. This is stupid. A bum is free about so long as he or she remains unseen. You're trespassing most everywhere you go. In my city the bums aren't even allowed in the parks. And if you can't spend money, you can hardly do anything besides sit around.
Freedom, at it's most elemental, is control over your destiny. If you try that without money, you go to jail.
2006-11-03 07:28:50 · update #1
Excellent assessment. I came to this conclusion too...thought I was alone out here. America is truly a free country for those who can afford it. If you were O.J. you could even chop off peoples heads and get on with your golf game...if you are poor and accused you could be executed for something you never did. If you were one of Bush's people no telling what all kinds of freedoms are available..I've noticed that many senators get free trips around the world to golf in really nice places seems to be the same people sponsoring those trips that got the senator elected and who's agenda he seems to promote...imagine that. A government that is by the corporations for the corporations and of the corporations. Isn't greedy corrupt capitalism fun for the rich!? Wouldn't it be nice to enjoy some of that? I totally get it we should all make a lot of money so we can bribe politicians for government kickbacks and law changes so we can make more money!!! Let's quit being lazy and hurry and make ourselves a million so we too can be free... otherwise we cold be labeled terrorist and shipped off to gitmo or some other secret prison and tortured without due process thanks Republicans for opening my eyes....I'm sure this is what the forefathers had in mind when they said give me liberty or give me death....It had a lot to do with cash.
2006-11-01 06:37:48 · answer #1 · answered by djmantx 7 · 6⤊ 1⤋
I guess you missed the part in the national anthem where you have to FIGHT for your freedom!? Everyone is looking for a handout these days, everyone wants to have instant wealth, popularity and possessions, but that is not why our founding fathers and the men & women who fought gave their lives to make this nation free for you, nor why they even had the idea of "freedom."
Look around the world! You are more free, everyone in this great nation is more free than anyone living in any other country around the world. You are more wealthy, live much easier and complain more about it than 95% of the people that live in this world today.
Freedom takes fight, and if it includes a "big war" as you call it, then so be it, be overly greatful each and every day for the life that you live here, because it is much, much worse for most of the rest of the people in this world.
Be willing to fight the fight for freedom, whether you are Bill Gates with all the money in the world (which by the way, if you had it, you still wouldn't be happy), or the homeless person in NY City who has nothing but their freedom (and they should be pretty stinking happy just to have that!), or you are the hero of this nation like every man & woman in our military who truly (unlike you) understand how great our freedom is.
2006-11-01 06:48:00 · answer #2 · answered by chakuta 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Economic freedom doesn't mean that you have the right to live wherever you want, and doesn't make you entitled to the finest in health care.
It means that you have the ability to get an education on your own terms (unlike China, where if you are the wrong age, or political party, your choices are limited).
It means that you can choose to spend, save, or invest your money (unlike most of Western Europe, where taxes take up most of your salary, and the government controls your level of retirement pension, or what kind of health care it can afford.)
You make a good point, in that the wealthy have the most opportunity. But becoming wealthy in the USA is a function of your work ethic, your talent, and your behavior. It is not a function of your position in the government, or your family name.
You have the freedom to own your own home, your own land, your own investments, your own business. You have the freedom to make your own money, and spend it how you see fit. You have the freedom to become wealthy (which simply doesn't exist in most of Africa and Southeast Asia, and much of Europe, including Western Europe).
If you expect the government to take care of these opportunities, they need to be paid for with taxes. The IRS can put a lien on my house, even send the Federal Marshal to evict me from my land and arrest me if I refuse to pay their taxes. That isn't freedom, dear reader.
2006-11-01 10:31:11 · answer #3 · answered by Polymath 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Americans are not free. We have shackles on 24/7. Our jobs confine us to working 5-7 days a week, our credit cards keep us working and our families suffer if we dont. Government aide only applies to those who make about 5 dollars an hour and even financial aide to go to school and make something of yourself rarely applies to anyone.
2006-11-01 06:37:32 · answer #4 · answered by Angel Eve 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
You are confusing freedom with ambition. You have the freedom to accomplish any of the things you mention. However you would rather complain than get up off your lazy pie hole.
2006-11-01 06:42:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
Freedom requires no money at all, just the right attitude and skills for self-sufficiency. the fact that whatever you want to do involves money is merely a neccesary condition of your specific desires. choosing to operate in this particular society requires capital. the fact that you consider money to be a factor in determining Freedom is a pair of shackles in itself.
2006-11-01 06:35:40 · answer #6 · answered by saturndescends 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Freedom is just a bunch of BS in the U.S. There are more people in prison in the U.S. than anywhere else in the world.
2006-11-01 06:38:45 · answer #7 · answered by Jabberwock 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
go ask your local bum how much he needs and maybe see that your being greedy and expectations are too high. sure it cost money to do things but there are ways to do things cheaper and on a low buget. learn to live with in your means or learn to raise your means
2006-11-01 06:33:09 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
Freedom and money are not the same thing..
2006-11-01 06:37:57 · answer #9 · answered by dwh12345 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋