Americans and freedom, do Americans delude themselves?

Question

It seems to me that Americans seem to think they have some special type of freedom that other countries don't have.

I've travelled all over America, Europe, South Korea, Japan and I'm from the UK and have lived here all my life. The impression I get is that America has no more freedom than any of the places I just mentioned. So are they deluding themselves?

It seems like the word freedom gets used almost like a catch phrase for some Americans while they don't actually understand what it means to have freedom and that what they have isn't special it's something many other countries have all over the world.

So, generally do Americans delude themselves into thinking that they have some special type of freedom that other countries don't have? and if you think America does have this special unique type of freedom then how do you think it manifests it's self?

Answer 1

YES
they do its on media everyday brainwashing them
they have less freedom of speech and actions than euro's

Answer 2

I live in America.Theres alot of things that makes being an american appealing.Think about it you can take your kid to the park without some nut job terroist coming by with a car bomb.Yes we do have freedom of speech. An sometimes it is taken a bit to far. we have freedom of press which means our media is not censored.Yes we do have our issues and sometimes we do elect idiots to run the government, but we are only human. If the freedom of America wasnt so valuable and appealing then why is it that refugees flock in boatloads to come here. Or flock to the borders to come in to the country. Why is it that America is the first one a disaster area and the last one out. Why is it we have troops all over the world trying to protect peoples rights?Its because Americans beleive that everyone has the power to choose who they want to be within themselves. maybe you'd just have to be born here to know what freedom really means.But no Americans aren't deluding themselves. Its the congress and politicians who are delusional.

Answer 3

I work with Americans in Iraq. They seriously believe that the US Constitution represents the pinacle of civilisation, democracy and freedom. They also are convinced that this gives them a God-given right to be judge, jury and policeman of the world.

It's interesting how they only seem to want to "police" countries in which they have a vested interest.

To my mind, America is involved in economic colonialisation of the world. They promise aid to third-world countries on the proviso that that country only ever buys American products into the future.

The bottom line is that America is not so interested in improving conditions in other countries, as they are setting up the world-wide infrastructure to ensure the United States continues to enjoy the highest standards of living in the world.

Answer 4

Yes, Americans do delude themselves that they have more freedom than other parts of the world. It's part of our cultural mythology. It probably started when the US was founded. At that time, most of Europe was ruled by monarchies so it was true that (theoretically at least) most Americans (if they were white and male) did have more freedoms than the rest of the world.

So we just keep feeding off that delusion.

What else do we have to keep us going?

Answer 5

Americans do seem to think that they have a monopoly when it comes to 'freedom'.
it is the word that most americans associate with the USA.
They don't like it when you point out that, for example,the freedom to buy a gun over the counter at a supermarket, is overriding the freedom to walk through the city streets at midnight without literally fearing for your life.

they also don't like to extend their rights to anyone else. The prisoners at guantanamo have no rights, as the USA wants to keep them as POW's, but also REFUSES to classify them as POW's because then they would have certain rights under international law (Geneva convention). this leads to the crazy situation where a half blind, half deaf, afghan old age pensioner who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, was sent to guantanamo, and had less rights - and less freedom - than a convicted child murdering paedophile in a standard US prison.

Answer 6

I'm from the UK and I'm going to ask you to shut up. You say you have travelled all over America. If so then you would know that they have a lot more freedom than you are giving them.

Your question makes me embarrassed to be from the UK as obviously you are just after heated answers.

Go back to watching your TV and waiting for your dole cheque. It's nice to know the UK tax payer subsidises your holidays to all the destinations that you have mentioned.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

If you are not a German, try to become a German citizen in Germany. If you prefer go live in Cuba. You'll have a lot of good times in freedom there. Or try N. Korea since you've been to the peninsula. Or maybe you'd like to set up a new political party in Mexico. Or maybe you'd like to preach about the sin of Sodomy in Canada. Or maybe you'd like to talk about freedom and live the good life in Cambodia, or Viet Nam. Or maybe you'd like to go to France and set up a store that promotes American made goods in a Muslim neighbourhood.
Do you get the picture?
I Cr 13;8a
11-8-6

Answer 9

They certainly do, and since the introduction of the Patriot Act those much lauded freedoms are dramatically eroded. SJM's excellent, well informed, and insightful answer nailed this one.

Answer 10

american constitution is probably the best, if its adhered to, but like us in britain their freedoms are dwindling as well, they are being spied on also. may be living in a poor country is best, if they cant afford the technology to harrass people with one would feel free.