What are the things that are not free in the land of freedom?

Question

For instance, by law Americans are not allowed to enter Cuba, or any company to invest in it. Also, 18yos are not allowed to vote or drink alcohol, but they can choose (or be chosen) to go to war. Also, sometimes some songs are banned in the US, like "Shoot the dog" of George Michael (I didn't know the Government still banned songs!!!). Does anyone knows more things in that Americans are not free to do?

For instance, by law Americans are not allowed to enter Cuba, or any company to invest in it. Also, 18yos are not allowed to vote or drink alcohol, but they can choose (or be chosen) to go to war. Also, sometimes some songs are banned in the US, like "Shoot the dog" of George Michael (I didn't know the Government still banned songs!!!). Does anyone knows more things in that Americans are not free to do?

CLARIFICATION:
- My mistake: In the US you are allowed to vote when you're 18yo and go to war, but not drink alcohol.
- Even though we don't like it, Americans cannot go freely to Cuba; check: http://www.frommers.com/articles/3493.html
-Songs have been banned in the US for ages; for more info check: http://ericnuzum.com/banned/ ; http://radio.about.com/library/weekly/blCCbannedsongs.htm ; http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/DH06Ak03.html
- It's OK to criticize my question, but would anyone actually like to answer it? Is there's something Americans are no free to do?

CLARIFICATIONS:
- My mistake: In the US you are allowed to vote when you're 18yo and go to war, but not drink alcohol.
- Even though we don't like it, Americans cannot go freely to Cuba; check: http://www.frommers.com/articles/3493.html
-Songs have been banned in the US for ages; for more info check: http://ericnuzum.com/banned/ ; http://radio.about.com/library/weekly/blCCbannedsongs.htm ; http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/DH06Ak03.html
- It's OK to criticize my question, but would anyone actually like to answer it? Is there's something Americans are no free to do?

Answer 1

Rather than list the many things that people in America are not allowed to do that do not hurt anyone except maybe themselves I think I would be helpful talking about the kinds of freedom America has and does not.

The American ideal is "Liberty and Justice for All". That seems to me as a good description of a free society. The leaders of America claim to be democratic and dedicated to freedom and most Americans believe that they live in a democracy and that they are free. But I think that if you see freedom as a balance of liberty and justice than you will see some troubles in American society.


For example most people reading here will agree that America has freedom of expression, freedom of religion, and freedom to do what you want to for a living. And that is true but is limited:

* You can say what you want to in America but there is the saying "the press is free for anyone who owns one". The American media is very biased. And maybe the American government won't censor you but Wal-Mart may!

* I think that freedom of religion also means freedom FROM religion but this freedom is being fought by the Religious Right in America.

* You can choose the profession you want in America if you can afford the schooling for it or find a way to have the cost paid.

And there are also some freedoms with "unfreedoms" in America: You have freedom to be openly gay and have sexual relations but not freedom to marry your same partner in most states. You have freedom to have birth control but not fredom to have a legal safe abortion in some states if the birth control fails. You have freedom to drink alchohol and smoke cigarets but not freedom to eat or drink or smoke marijuana.

And some critical freedoms that Americans (and most of the other people in the world) do not have are freedom from hunger, freedom from religious propaganda, and freedom from exploitation. Americans may not be used to thinking of these freedoms as freedoms.


My point with all of this is that there is freedom in America but there are limits and biases in the freedoms. Most people of course do not rationally consider the alternatives that are possible. In any country not just America they accept the system they are born in and have been taught to believe in. And most Americans learn to ignore the lack of justice in their society. And many Americans (not most I hope!) are watching more and more the liberty being lost and believe the lie that it is for their security.

Answer 2

Where did you get that information? First, 18 year olds ARE allowed to vote. Few choose to exercise this right, however.

And the government does NOT ban songs. It was Al Gore's wife who insisted on having ratings and restrictions put on them. And the only 18 year olds who go to war currently are those who choose to go. There is NOT a draft.

As to the issues with Cuba, well, didn't that all take place under a Democrat in the White House?

By the way, just because America is the Land of the Free does not mean that there are no rules. Laws are made for a reason.

Answer 3

Most states the freedom to not to wear a helmet on a motorcycle.
Not to wear a seat belt in a automobile
Have a conversation on the telephone or computer without government eavesdropping
Not be taxed when an individual has no say in their elected officials (Felony conviction denies a lot of people their right to vote)

These are the most blatant ones I can think of right now.
I wonder if the comments to this will try to take away the freedom of speech from me?

Answer 4

As I advised you the final time you published this, "Freedom of Speech, as people who did no longer sleep by way of extreme college civics recalls, skill the government can't prosecute you. It does no longer mean which you would be able to flow to a stranger's residing house ans spout dirt because you could no longer stumble on a real pastime. Yahoo is someones residing house. As such they have the right to direct the speech of anybody on it. do in comparison to that? initiate your very own internet site and phone it "open mike." yet do no longer tramp dirt into someones residing house and lament the dying of Freedom in united statesa.. it could make you look like a spoiled baby who needs to rant, yet no longer create.

Answer 5

They are not chosen to go to war so that statement was absolutely false. If you think the only advantage to being over 18 is to drink, then you have a lot of growing up to do. You can go to Cuba, just not the direct route.

Answer 6

shoot the dog is on youtube for all to see..no music etc is banned in America. even if the wanted to it would be impossible.

travel to Cuba is not forbidden and there are sites to provide information to those who plan to do so.

in our country, anyone is free to criticise the government, in other countries ppl are free to criticise American but will be jailed if they criticise their own.

you are so misinformed it is beyond amazement. if you live in America, what freedoms do you NOT have?? if you don't then you should educate yourself before you make such erroneous statements.

Answer 7

On this board, anything being said against liberals or in other words, free speech.

Answer 8

You're confusing "freedom" with "anarchy"--you're not "free" to rape, steal, murder and shout "fire" in a crowded theatre--does that mean you don't have freedom? Define your terms and ask a meaningful question.

Answer 9

Not even freedom itself is free...