The talk show hosts and media always rant about how free America is and that Canada and the United Kingdom have socialist governments. How exactly is America freer than these countries?
The way I see it
America has freedom of speech but you have to be careful to be politcally correct and not to offend anyone. You can be charged with a hate crime otherwise. I don't think the other countries have this.
America has eminent domain laws. Big businesses can "seize" your property through the government to build their hotels and stores. I don't think the other countries have this.
In America you can bear arms and even handguns. I don't think you can buy handguns in other countries.
In America, the insurance companies have real freedom. They can choose not to insure a person with pre-existing health issues or who is deemed a risk. In Canada and UK everyone gets coverage.
In America big businesses have a lot of freedoms with few regulations. This is why we're seeing banks collapsing with t
2007-10-21 03:21:37 · 15 answers · asked by Tom S 7 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
The level of freedom in the US, UK and Canada are essentially equal.
2007-10-21 03:27:27 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
"In America you can bear arms and even handguns. I don't think you can buy handguns in other countries."
How does this make us LESS free?
"In America, the insurance companies have real freedom. They can choose not to insure a person with pre-existing health issues or who is deemed a risk. In Canada and UK everyone gets coverage."
And pays an arm and a leg for it in taxes. And ends up waiting in long lines for simple procedures. I believe you're more free when you can choose which doctor to see, or which hospital to go to.
"America has eminent domain laws. Big businesses can "seize" your property through the government to build their hotels and stores. I don't think the other countries have this."
Which is a misinterpretation of the Fifth Amendment that the Supreme Court should never had allowed, but its more liberal members felt that government knows better what to do with your property than you do. Even so, you must be given just compensation for your land, unlike places like Venezuela, where Hugo Chavez can just seize your property.
And banks are collapsing because they backed bad loans in the sub-prime market, as the real estate industry suckered way too many people not qualified for mortgages into buying too much home. Read some of the stories coming out of England, and they're facing the same issues.
2007-10-21 10:36:28 · answer #2 · answered by TheOnlyBeldin 7 · 1⤊ 5⤋
I think that the 3 countries are about equal on the personal freedom side of things. (Although, Canada and the UK don't have silly things like the Patriot Act)
Where the UK and Canada have a distinct advantage is on the political side.
If Prime Ministers (and governing parties) lose the support of the voters they are are normally forced to hold new elections, in which the leader can be removed from office. This tends to keep the office bearer honest and accountable at all times.
Also, the 'leader' must have a majority in parliament to govern.
Don't Americans wish they had this tool?
Bad job, heh? You are not listening to us, heh?
Out with you!
2007-10-21 10:46:11 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
The Good Lord gave us three things in this country... They are as follows:
1. The Freedom of speech
2. The Freedom of thought
3. The good sense to use neither freedom of speech or thought
2007-10-24 18:08:00 · answer #4 · answered by CanadianFundamentalist 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Of course we are more free.
Our Second Amendment assures that. 'The right to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.'
"In America you can bear arms and even handguns. I don't think you can buy handguns in other countries." That is a good thing. I don't need to wait for the police to show up to protect me, I can do it myself.
See, the largest standing army is the armed citizen.
"In America big businesses have a lot of freedoms with few regulations" Actually, they have a lot of regulations. Do some research.
"In America, the insurance companies have real freedom. They can choose not to insure a person with pre-existing health issues or who is deemed a risk. In Canada and UK everyone gets coverage" I like choosing my doctor, and hospital. I like not having to wait, or pay huge taxes for the privilege to wait in line for substandard care.
2007-10-21 10:53:40 · answer #5 · answered by NSA 6 · 0⤊ 5⤋
You are asking whether a citizen who can do what he likes (and can arm himself for his own defence) but cannot say some things in public - USA, is freer than UK and Europeans who can say anything offensive in public but must obey many more laws about their work and movements.
2007-10-21 10:33:18 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
As a Canadian I do not have to worry about getting tased and the PATRIOT ACT but it seems like we are heading down the same road as you guys and fear NAU/SPP will happen.
We all have an illusion of freedom and democracy.
2007-10-21 10:28:19 · answer #7 · answered by Edge Caliber 6 · 9⤊ 2⤋
well yes...and everything is mitigated by circumstances...The more apathetic the populace the more in control the government...and what is this crap about taxation without representation...since when has that happened...and wasn't there a big tea party that failed to include the indigenous populations because the plan was to exterminate them...down to the last baby...seems like it is one more failed government experience
2007-10-21 10:35:27 · answer #8 · answered by Patti_Ja 5 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The only institutions in the US who have freedom is the corporations.
Individuals and regular folks and the middle class, forget it!
2007-10-21 10:32:50 · answer #9 · answered by Deana 4 · 3⤊ 3⤋
No, I believe we are all about the same.
2007-10-21 10:34:36 · answer #10 · answered by Classy Granny 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋