ok, this might offend some people, but i am wondering what our freedom here in america really is, compaired to canada or europe? seems like whatever i want to do is regulated to an extend i wouln't think of it as a freedom. somebody please explain.
2006-12-22 12:42:41 · 13 answers · asked by magiceye81 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Law & Ethics
I hear you.
But...
How many other places in the world can you grow up poor in the burroughs and elevate yourself to the level of a John Leguizamo.
How many other places can you sit a prison sentence and turn your life around and become Tim the tool man Taylor {Tim Allen}.
Let me apologize straight off for not knowing all of the details of my next example but I heard about this womans life story awhile ago... There is a woman who holds the highest office in our country {Sec. of Labor??} I think. That was an immigrant to the USA and worked as a maid for many years. Worked her way into the unions and kept on a path to the position she holds now. If memory serves I think she is also handicapped in some way.
In this country you have the freedom to become anyone you want regardless of race, religion,social background...etc. I f you want it enough you can achieve it.
More examples Bill Gates, Jennifer Hudson, Hillary Swank, Eminem, The guy from Napster, Hulk Hogan, Tony Hawk, Fantasia Barrino...
You can come from any back ground and make your life as successful as you want it to be.
Yes Canada and Europe are free nations but when you consider with the USA and them, that's only 3 countries. SOOO many others are SOO not. You can't move out of the social class you were born into in many countries. If you were born third world your probably going to be third world... forever. Unless maybe you are willing to risk everything, including maybe your life, to somehow make your way to a country like America.
Out of my own personal experience: I know a man around my age [38] who was born in what is now Albania. When the fighting began in his homeland every man was expected to join the military. The problem he had with this was most of the people he would be fighting against were neighbors because the area had become mixed with Albanians, Bosnians, Herzogovinans...etc.
He wasn't going to kill his friends and neighbors. He left. His first stop was Germany. He worked there for two years. From Germany he went to New York. From there he worked his way to Milwaukee. Seven years later he owns his own restaurant. I'm sorry I won't say where out of respect for his privacy. I think he is an incredible man. I have worked for him as a waitress. When he first told me of his life it made me feel grateful to be born an American. ANYONE can become anyone they want to be!! And for those of you who think this... He didn't get any free government sponsored hand outs. He worked for everything he's got and paid every tax the rest of us pay!
We have the freedom to any and every religion. We have the freedom to speak our minds...even if it is not the popular opinion. In other countries you can be shot for speaking out against the government. In other countries you can be stoned to death if your a woman and a man rapes you. According to some of the Middle Eastern countries that brings shame to your family and your father has the right to STONE you to death???!! How ABSURD!!
Please, enjoy being an American. It's really an insult to all of the Americans{born here or elsewhere} who came before you who gave so much.
I'm really not a flag waving card carrying get with it or get out kind of person but I am proud to be an American!! And appreciative.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. Sorry it was so long but it struck a cord... you know?!
Happy Holidays!!
2006-12-22 14:22:38 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Its a limited freedom. I can do or say whatever I want as long as I dont offend anyone. That's not freedom. If it offends you that I want to say "One Nation Under GOD!!" or "Merry Christmas." Rather than Happy Holidays then people should get over it. They say that I am pushing my beliefs on them my speaking my mind. Who the hell are they to tell me what I can and can not say. If it offends you then I'm sorry, its my right. My nation is becoming more and more each day a place where I must watch what I say or do to a person because of what color they maybe. Or what God they may serve. I'm not here to see how many people I can piss off. I'm here to live and serve the one true God (if that offends you DEAL) and to love people. So stop trying to make me look like some kind of racist, prejudice, tyrant who forces you to do what I think is right. Glad I got that off my shoulders.
2006-12-22 14:26:35 · answer #2 · answered by samuel j 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
free·dom (frdm) KEY
NOUN:
The condition of being free of restraints.
Liberty of the person from slavery, detention, or oppression.
Political independence.
Exemption from the arbitrary exercise of authority in the performance of a specific action; civil liberty: freedom of assembly.
Exemption from an unpleasant or onerous condition: freedom from want.
The capacity to exercise choice; free will: We have the freedom to do as we please all afternoon.
Ease or facility of movement: loose sports clothing, giving the wearer freedom.
Frankness or boldness; lack of modesty or reserve: the new freedom in movies and novels.
The right to unrestricted use; full access: was given the freedom of their research facilities.
The right of enjoying all of the privileges of membership or citizenship: the freedom of the city.
A right or the power to engage in certain actions without control or interference: "the seductive freedoms and excesses of the picaresque form" (John W. Aldridge).
“Freedom is never given, it is won.”
“The secret of Happiness is Freedom, and the secret of Freedom, Courage.”
“Freedom is not worth having if it does not connote freedom to err. It passes my comprehension how human beings, be they ever so experienced and able, can delight in depriving other human beings of that precious right.”
“Just living is not enough... One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower.”
2006-12-22 12:53:17 · answer #3 · answered by ••Mott•• 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
But look at our freedom of choice! We can shop at Target, Walmart, Costco -anywhere. And we have the freedom to borrow all the money we want and drive the biggest gas guzzling low qualitiy hunk of metal on the road! They can't do that in Europe.
2006-12-22 12:49:30 · answer #4 · answered by changRdie 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Well, I really don't want to go into comparisons because my definition applies to all...
I define real freedom as waking up each day not living for what you can get and the dollar. Real freedom is waking up and being able to say to yourself, "Today I am going to do whatever i want to do. I don't HAVE to do anything."
2006-12-22 12:56:25 · answer #5 · answered by BeachBum 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well you no when your in your own place and you can do what ever you want.In Canada we can;t even have guns so i don;t no why your whining.Freedom is not being in trouble with the law.That is freedom or would you rather be in jail.Freedom is alot of things buddy.You just have to be thankful that you don;t have to fight for them.Freedom is what you yourself make it.
2006-12-22 12:51:43 · answer #6 · answered by bonnie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm with you, but I've come to this conclusion -
if George Bush says freedom, expect the opposite -
like with most of what he says.
2006-12-22 12:50:31 · answer #7 · answered by Calee 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
its more an extremely over justified idea of self will do what you want nobody can stop you ! thats not why we fought all those wars and lost all those men! in a way its freedom but its more selfwill!
2006-12-22 12:46:34 · answer #8 · answered by dont shoot!!!! its just me 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"Freedom is just another word for nothing left to lose".
Janice Joplin circa 1968
2006-12-22 12:47:09 · answer #9 · answered by RUDOLPH M 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
a feeling of being treated fairly,no matter where you go
2006-12-22 12:45:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋