What things we would never see again if we were to have our freedoms taken away?

Answer 1

We have a few freedoms in the United States - all with limitations. The press isn't totally "free"; it is bound by censorship rules, political correctness and money. For example, no major U.S. newspaper would publish an article criticizing Zionism, because of where its advertising revenues come from and the barrage of criticism it would face. I note that even Israeli newspapers are more open and honest about the Israel-Palestine question than any U.S. publication I've ever seen (except, of course, fringe postings on the internet).

Our right of free speech isn't absolute. We are censored - partly for reasons of good taste and so as not to cause offence - but sometimes because our points of view just go against the grain and rub somebody powerful up the wrong way.

Our right to vote isn't sacrosanct, either, with gerrymandering and the Electoral College working against the pure principal of one man-one vote.

Neither is our right to bear arms. Of course, the gun control folks will tell you that the Second Amendment only exists to form militias to fight off foreign invaders, but the strict Constitutionalist considers it a way to keep the government in check.

Just because we have an alleged right to privacy doesn't keep the White House, the FBI, the ATF, the CIA, credit reporting agencies and advertisers from constantly invading it! Think about how that guy from the Indian call center got your home telephone number and when he calls up to sell you a new cellphone how he seems to know your name, your address and other personal information about you, and how he got that info? It's because you purchased something - a home, a TV, a new pair of shoes - and the people you buy things from share all the information about your purchase, including your date of birth and where you live - with everybody else who wants to sell you something - and you can't do a thing about it!

So what are you left with - freedom of choice, perhaps? The freedom to choose tacos over chicken wings or Baskin Robbins over Ben & Jerry's? That's limited to how much you can afford to spend on the things you choose, and their availability in your local area. What's more, how can you make an informed choice when not everything is adequately labelled or the figures are skewed? Like the skewed MPG in car advertising, or the hormones which are pumped into USDA beef, or the fact that McDonalds fries are made of powdered milk and wheat flour with potato flavoring? Do you know when you buy food whether it's genetically modified or not? No, you don't, because the FDA doesn't think it's necessary to label food products containing genetically modified ingredients, much less genetically modified produce.

Have we got freedom of religion? Only to the extent that somebody who doesn't like you practicing your religion around them doesn't kick up a stink. Christians can't pray at school or in any public place; people in some areas react to the building of a mosque by persecuting worshippers and how easy do you think it is for a Sikh to get a job in most businesses?

We have the right to a free public education up to a certain grade, but from most of the answers on Yahoo! I'd say what we get in return for what we pay is practically worthless.

I wonder constantly - just how "free" we really are? If the government wanted to confiscate your property to build an overpass, they could do it. If the government wanted to reinstate the draft and force your son to go to war, you would have no choice in the matter. If you had a beef about what you considered an unfair tax and refused to pay it, the IRS would have you thrown in jail.

Think about it!

Answer 2

guns

everything else would be there. In a way
You could vote- but who counts the votes?
You could talk- just that some talkers would vanish.
You would have discussions on the radio- just not on every topic
You would have newspapers- many titles sending out a very similar message.

The only thing feared by the totalitarian government is an armed citizen. Especially when organised.

How do I know that? I lived under communism most of my life. Count your blessings.

Answer 3

Are freedoms are being taken away. One Republican decision at a time. We are seeing fewer families that can feed their children. More people in the street. Less help for those with medical problems. Less rights and care for our troops at home and overseas. Higher gas prices. Higher consumer prices ....need I go on?

Answer 4

Prosperity and the quality of life you have right now.

EDIT:

Who gave me a thumbs-down for saying this? Do you really believe we'd be better off without our rights and freedoms?

Answer 5

The very first thing they will try and take away is our firearms. An unarmed population is easily enslaved. Hitler knew this. Leftwingers today know this.

NRA Forever!

Answer 6

Talk radio, print news paper, uncensored Internet sites, a voting booth.

Answer 7

The right to vote
The right to be self-employed
The right to own property
The right to bear arms
The right to free speech
The right to worship
I could name many more.

Answer 8

The right to choose the career we want to do. The right to choose who we marry and love. Where we live and with who. How we die and where. Basically, we would lose the right to live our lives as we choose to live them.

Answer 9

No more Yahoo Answers!

Answer 10

Life, liberty and happiness.