Why do Americans take their freedom for granted?

Answer 1

Some do..I don't...I understand what freedom really is...and I understand that it isn't free.

Answer 2

Because it's an illusion. They have to work, pay taxes and support whatever the majority want. They have some freedoms but w/out money can't exercise them. Freedom can be dangerous, try Russia or South America, lots of freedom but you can get killed easily. It's a balancing act, you too no doubt take whatever freedoms you have for granted or you wouldn't ask this, some of them you will lose in America, try avoiding taxes for a start, speaking out against the majority or smoking nature's herbs.

Answer 3

You know I kept asking myself why the Germans did not speak up while the Holocaust going on. After the PATRIOT ACT, the Warrantless Wiretapping and the complete destruction of the Bill of Rights, I no longer ask that question. I know the answer. As long as it does not effect us then we could care less. I remember this poem that I once heard. First they came for the Jews and I said nothing because I am not Jewish. Then they came for the Arabs and I said nothing but I am not Arab. Then they came for the blondes and I said nothing because I am not blonde. Then they came for me and there was no one to speak up for me.

Why do Americans take their freedoms for granted because we were told by our government and Fox News that anyone that talks about missing liberates are supporting the terrorists.

I, however, remember this other quote. Those who are willing to give up freedom for the sake of short term security deserve neither freedom nor security. That was Ben Franklin, when of those people that gave us our civil liberties.

Answer 4

Well, many did. Our Constitution guarantees many freedoms.

It was working very well until Nixon became president. He violated many of our Constitutional guarantees - and was forced out of office for it. We lost a little faith when that happened.

And now, Bush and his cadre of thugs have done it again.

I believe we will have to INSIST on our freedoms from further governments by citizens actions.....by electing good and honest people to Congress (not career politicians), by paying attention to the candidates up for vote. Learn their past actions and behaviors for ourselves instead of listening to the pratter and babble the media serves up.

If we, the people, don't get up off our butts and become active in our political system, we might never enjoy true freedom again in our lifetime.

Personally, I don't take freedom for granted anymore. I don't trust my government to do what is right by us and for our country. I watch everyone, listen to everyone, pay attention to what is going on, don't believe ANYTHING that I cannot prove myself by reading and research.

I have never wasted my vote...and I have voted in every election since I turned 21. I am now 67 and am paying close attention to what is going on now. I wish more people would do that. If they did, we wouldn't have Bush and his corrupt and crooked thugs bending our Constitution in the White House.

Answer 5

Very nice quote Vaughn. And I agree with you. It bugs the poo poo out of me when people don't take the time to do something as self-affirming as voting. I think of all that black Americans had to go through in the 60s to even get the right and people are so laissez-faire about it. It's ridiculous.

Answer 6

Because they have never been in a war!

Actually, Bush say's he wants a "democracy" in Iraq, who has a govenment which is in shambles!

During the same period we have been in Iraq, Bush and the Republicans have attacked the constitution!

"To sanction such presidential authority to order the military to seize and indefinitely detain civilians, even if the President calls them 'enemy combatants,' would have disastrous consequences for the constitution and the country," the court panel said.

In the 2-1 decision, the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel found that the federal Military Commissions Act doesn't strip Ali al-Marri, a legal U.S. resident, of his constitutional rights to challenge his accusers in court.
It ruled the government must allow al-Marri to be released from military detention.

Answer 7

Because most never have to do anything for it. We no longer have a draft, most people try to get out of jury duty, and there are no requirements for a native born citizen except to pay taxes. And our freedoms are taken away little by little, so most people don't notice, like the frog and the gradually boiling pot. And the ones who notice are usually too cynical to do anything about it.

Answer 8

Because of the history of our country and the fight to gain all of the many wonderful benefits of living here. Americans always felt they were protected by the Constitution and bill of rights but those are being eroded rather badly in the name of security. Also globalization is undoing everything we have done for protection of the consumer and working people.

Answer 9

"What we obtain too cheaply, we esteem too lightly."
~ Thomas Paine

Hardly any of us have had to personally fight for our freedoms. Thus, we minimize them. Like with the right to vote, which people in other countries or times are willing to DIE for--I know people who'll skip the Presidential election simply to get their nails done.

Answer 10

Because most Americans haven't fought for anything more serious than a school yard brawl.