Freedom! What freedom?

Question

Respond on whether or not you think America is really free. I know this question can be like opening a can of worms but I feel it is important to know how your fellow American feels.

I come from Military home and I loved it growing up. And so those of you who answer know I am happy with America, I know we have problems, but at least we aren't Cuba, or North Korea.

Answer 1

Okay - but you asked!!

I think that selfish, whiny Americans who insist they have "no freedoms" should go live in Venezuela for a few years. They obviously have no concept of life under a REAL dictator.

Answer 2

Well, someone typed that "Its not the best anymore"...

I beg to differ. I have been to 4 countries in Europe, Mexico, 6 countries in Africa (Egypt, Somalia included), Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Jordan, Austrailia, South Korea and Japan.

I really have to say, that as far as freedoms go...not only do we have the most room to be ourselves, we have to ability to express ourselves without fear of governmental reprisal. We can move from state to state at will, we have plenty on our grocery store shelves, we have LOTS of things they do not have elsewhere. Even our "poor" would be considered rich in parts of Mexico and most of Africa that I have seen.

There are some incroachments on our freedoms that I do not like to see, and do not agree with, and they have been happening over the last 15 years or so. There have been some errosions of our freedoms, but not like many other places in the world.

My suggestion is to visit some other places, see how they live, see how they use smashed coke cans to fix holes in their roofs, see how little they really have available either to by or barter for food. See how much trouble they have to go through to visit the beach...then tell me how much America sucks.

Yes, we have problems. But I would not trade my/our problems for anyone elses in the world.

Answer 3

America is still seen as a symbol of freedom to many throughout the world. I have know Russian people old enough to remember the country under communist rule. America has problems, sure, but we are lucky to live her, no doubt about it.

Answer 4

So far we have but blowing in the wind seems to be a threat to our freedom. In August or September I believe there may be some sort of a major power struggle in this country.

Answer 5

With well over 2 million Americans in prison, per capita the highest in the world, you could fairly say that America is the least free country on earth.

Answer 6

Well , we don't have the freedoms we use to have , but then we don't live as we use to live either . It's been a trade off .
Seems lately there has been less freedom of speech .
Be careful what you say you might offend someone .

Answer 7

I think we are losing our freedom. I think we still have plenty, but it is less than we have had in the past. The greater level of lack of freedom in other countries does not negate any lack in America.

One area that I see a decline in freedom is in the public schools. Kids are being taught a one-sided secular humanism religious viewpoint on life. They call it freedom from religion, a way to not offend anyone, (ha ha) but it is in itself a system of beliefs that is contrary to those who believe in Christ. I believe that true freedom in education is allowing the presentation of multiple sides to the issues. Teach the options, allow different schools of thought to be presented to the kids and teach them how to reason for themselves.

Answer 8

As bad as it seems right now, it is still the best place to live. No country is totally free. There must be laws. There are thousands of people clammering to come here still.

Answer 9

Well I guess it just depends on what you mean by FREE. We have the first amendment and the constitution which supposedly protects us, but I would say that in the past 6 years we've seen a deterioration of our beloved freedoms in the guise of national security.

Take the warrantless wiretaps for example. The 4th amendment protects against unlawful searches and seizures. This right to privacy makes it illegal for the government to read your emails, intercept mail, tap phone calls, etc without first obtaining a warrant from the FISA courts. This administration feels that they are above the law and conduct a surveillence program with no oversight. They could have had the FISA laws revised by drafting legislation to do just that, but they didn't. They bypassed the law completely.

http://www.epic.org/privacy/terrorism/fisa/

Rule of law is something that we should hold very dear in America, it is in fact, what separates us from so many other corrupt regimes.

So now we are chipping away at our freedoms in order to "protect" our freedoms. Ironic, is it not?

Also, think of detention without due process. This comes from Amendment 5 of the constitution which states " ...No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offense to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation."

We have American citizens NOW who have been held for YEARS because the government labeled them a "terrorist" and thus stripped them of any right to judge and jury.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/09/09/AR2005090900772.html

Not to mention that we are kidnapping foreign nationals, and having them tortured, ONLY to find out that they are innocent:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/arar/

In addition, we are currently holding people in Guantanimo without charging them with anything. Apparently, the government merely labling you a "terrorist" without any evidence to prove the case is enough for some people.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/17/AR2006121700700.html

Sadly, the America I grew up loving is changing right before my eyes, and I'm not sure what we can do about it other than hold those responsible for it accountable.

Answer 10

Ben Franklin said,He who sacrifices Freedom for Security,Deserves Neither.
Freedom is all Hot Air they Blow up our butts.Your Not Really Free when they can rip it from you in a blink of your eye.
Read my blog about your supposed freedom.