2007-04-14 14:44:22 · 14 answers · asked by Anonymous in Politics & Government ➔ Government
Security is worth reasonable costs, yes. Even to liberty.
Your house is secure because it is fully enclosed, and has locks on the doors. These incur a cost, both practical and financial, and cut down on your liberty of movement. But they have value that exceeds the burdens imposed.
That is the balance that needs to always be struck -- how much of a burden do we sustain for the benefits gained. For burdens which are comparably slight, against threats which are significant, the burdens of security are often justified.
But when the burdens are severe, and the benefits mostly illusory, then liberty is not being sacrified for actual security, but only for the delusion that we are safer. And freedom sacrified for delusion is never a healthy idea.
2007-04-14 14:47:29 · answer #1 · answered by coragryph 7 · 6⤊ 2⤋
I'll admit the terrorists shook things up around here when the plane hit the Pentagon. WHAT A NOISE! But that was years ago. The remaining terrorists are all living on Social Security now and people are still shoving mirrors under cars and making us go through metal detectors. I had to go outside and hide my tiny pocket knife before they'd let me go into the Library of Congress to read. Huh? The Postal Museum is right near there, but when I saw the metal detector I didn't even try. Mostly I stay out of Washington any more. I stay on my side of the river--where the plane hit.
2007-04-14 22:00:45 · answer #2 · answered by Mike D. 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It depends on what you mean by "security". Lets face, you're already giving up a lot of your liberty and freedom, by government decree. Do you wear a seat belt, or a helmet on the old bike, eat in non-smoking restaurants or any number of other government controls? If your talking about your liberties as a citizen, voting rights, free to travel, work where you want, education, freedom of speech and assembly, right to live where you want, etc, the the answer is a resounding NO!
2007-04-14 22:00:25 · answer #3 · answered by Gonealot R 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No, what is the point of being safe if there is nothing we can do while being safe? Everyday I see more and more restrictions placed. When will it end? We have all read books like anthem or seen V for Vendetta, I don't think it will go that far but we can't be sure. Even living in day to day life right now seems like neverending laws for our "safety". In the end, I think that liberty is much more important.
2007-04-14 22:49:31 · answer #4 · answered by moxie1352 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Generally no. But on balance some is... For example, you give up a bit of liberty by being searched for tons of stuff at the airport and limited what you can bring on the plane.
2007-04-14 21:47:52 · answer #5 · answered by dapixelator 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hopefully life is not an either or choice!
I think it will always be a trade off between these. If we have the absolute freedomn to do anyting we want, then other do too. And some of them can come up with some very nasty things to do to us.
But is live worth living if we do not have any freedom?
Some where between the extremes we can find a balance that gives us as much freedom as possible while keeping us resonably safe.
2007-04-14 21:56:19 · answer #6 · answered by paintingj 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I believe it was Ben Franklin who said that those who would trade liberty for security deserves neither.
2007-04-14 22:10:32 · answer #7 · answered by Michelle C 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Lets see liberty or dying thats a hard one.
2007-04-14 23:09:22 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since I have not & do not forsee losing any liberty, it's a moot question.
2007-04-14 22:51:43 · answer #9 · answered by yupchagee 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If one has nothing to hide, then I would say yes. I would much rather have a few less liberties than to be killed by a terrorist.
2007-04-14 21:47:56 · answer #10 · answered by TE 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋