America... where have your freedoms really got you?

Question

I am genuinley interested in how your lives are better than the majority of the world (in your opinion of course, and not mine)

The first answerer.... really? Couldn't think of anything? Interesting.

Belinda C...not much different from yours seeing as I live in the UK.

Answer 1

i can tell you that our lives are much better then that of other countries in the world. this is because as im reading these questions, im sitting in Iraq on a military base and i can look out and see and talk to people from this country who "hate us with a passion" but will do anything to get our clothes that we throw away, or the food we do not eat. the saying one mans trash is another mans treasure has never seemed so real untill i got here and see what these people live in. the rights that we take for granted are rights that these countries dream of having without being killed because of it. so to answer your question, my life is better because i can have my own oppinions and not be killed because of them and im not living day to day just trying to do what i need to make sure my family has food at night.

Answer 2

This question is hard for people to answer because most of them have not lived anywhere else, so they can't make a comparison.
I have spent some time working in a country that had no tradition of personal freedom, and found a terrible poverty of spirit there. When they got freedom in 1991, people didn't know how to think for themselves on certain topics, couldn't imagine how to run their lives without the party to tell them how. Some thought that people deciding things for themselves was anarchy. That is the result of the centuries when people who thought and acted for themselves were shot. This is part of why it is taking so long for the former communist countries to pull themselves up out of poverty, and I am glad to see there is progress.
I don't expect American values or institutions to take hold in any other country, but I sure do see some advantages to greater freedoms.

Answer 3

The reality is you are free to do what ever you want no matter where you are. You are human and have free will, the difference is the consequences of your actions are different. I have lived in 6 different countries, a couple with strict sharia law, and have worked or visited well over 50. I am free to do what I want no matter where I am, but what might get me a slap on the wrist in one country might get me shot in another. Oh, and I must disagree with some answerers, most people from oppressive countries would rather go to Canada rather than the US, but it's easier to get into the US.

Answer 4

Actually, we've lost a lot of our freedoms over the years. Freedom built this country. The freedom to build, invent, and grow enriched us for decades. Unfortunately, those who abused that freedom forced laws on the rest of us, to the point that our 'freedom' today is little different from that of any other nation on earth today.

If you are serious about wanting to know, read 'the Mainspring of Human Progress' by H G Weaver. Very informative.

Answer 5

To be honest, I can't answer. Born and raised in middle class Middle America. I honestly don't have the perspective of living in other countries. This question should be directed to immigrants to the US. But it does seem that most people that immigrate to America have a deeper understanding and appreciation than the average citizen, like me. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate my freedom, but in the context of other countries, I don't know.

That is why I seek out other people's viewpoint. Two personal experiences. There is an Indian family that owns a convience store I frequent. They seem very happy to assimilate into American culture. They still display their heritage, but they appreciate being Americans now. Also I had an economics professor who came from China. He taught a class about international economic-political structures. He had a very heavy accent, which made it hard to understand him sometimes. I'm not knocking it, BTW, he spoke far better English, than I will ever speak Chinese, because I don't speak Chinese and doubt I will. However, when the subject of Chinese and Soviet communism came up, he was very clear about his disdain for those governments and lack of freedom.

In short, American immigrants, in general, will tell you that their lives are better here than in their countries or origin. Precisely because their home country is now USA. They are now Americans.

Dinesh D'Souza puts it better than I can:
http://www.dineshdsouza.com/articles/thankful2bamerican.html

And mike h, thank you, for your service and insight
.

Answer 6

My freedoms have allowed me to live my life as I see fit. I am free to choose or reject religion as I please, speak openly about my government without fear of reprisal, dress as I please, educate myself to the degree I wish, access a free press, travel as I wish, maintain privacy in my own home. The list goes on and on and yep, I'm very thankful I was born in the United States. There are other countries of course, where most of these freedoms are also common to the people, but I'm proud to be an American - even if I am not proud of our current involvement in Iraq.

Answer 7

"Genuinely."

I don't know that my life is better than the lives of the majority of the world. I'm pretty well travelled (including a few years in Wales), but I haven't lived in the majority of the world.

Where have my freedoms gotten my nation?

Think of it this way: You're asking me. I'm not asking you where your lesser freedoms have gotten you. You're outside the fence looking in.

Orderliness comes from restrictiveness. Freedom is messy. Orderliness speaks with one voice. Freedom is a cacophony.

I'll take my mess over restrictive order any day. :)

Answer 8

4th July 1776 advert. * Independence Day July 4th * On July 4, 1776, we claimed our independence from Britain and Democracy grow to be born. daily hundreds go away their place of start to come again to the "land of the unfastened and the homestead of the courageous" so as that they are able to start their American Dream. america is referred to as a distinctive united states made out of dynamic human beings. each twelve months on July 4, human beings celebrate that freedom and independence with barbecues, picnics, and relatives gatherings. in the time of the internet we are gaining understanding of approximately and speaking with human beings of diverse countries, with diverse languages and various races by way of the international. Bringing the international nearer with understand-how and information can in simple terms earnings all countries. We invite all countries to celebrate with human beings on line this Fourth of July. satisfied Birthday, usa!

Answer 9

Many countries enjoy freedom today, because of the freedoms we Americans have. Many countries changed because they were loosing mass amounts of citizens to America. People weren't flocking to our shores because everything was just hunky dory back home. There are people all over the world who do not enjoy our freedoms and they would have to tell you how my life is better. I've only known freedom, I've nothing to compare it with.

Answer 10

I am not from the US, so I am not qualified to answer this question, but to the many answerers here who claim they have more freedoms than anyone else: you are wrong. I have more freedom than you here in Canada. In fact there is no comparison. There are many free countries in the world; don't claim superiority without knowing anything about those you think you are superior to.