Why aren't we free?

Question

I understand why you can't yell fire in a theatre. I understand why i can't shoot someone. I am willing to give up those things.
But if america is so free why can't i drive without a seatbelt?
or be convicted of disorderly conduct? can you have mere "disorderly conduct" as a charge in a free society.

Its obvious we need laws.and yes anarchy would suck.
But the question concerns laws which are imposed which do not protect others freedoms but merely take ours away without a viable justification in a truly free society.

Answer 1

A society without rules is anarchy.

Seat-belt laws (that I personally disagree with) is a tough one as I see no purpose but to save insurance companies money. I believe in personal responsibility. But basically, laws are set up to protect society through formal social controls. They are based upon social norms. Being "disorderly" is not acceptable in public and society wants those that think otherwise sanctioned for it, or rewards those for outstanding performance in following or exceeding social norms or expectations.

Overall the application of social norms gives people a good sense of what is right and wrong. Having this, it makes the society stronger and able to deal with change. Over time social norms change as peoples ideas change. Without a solid sense of what you are, or what is right, change is difficult.

But, one thing to keep in mind, as I see from many of the responses here:

"That government is best which governs least, because its people discipline themselves."
Thomas Jefferson

"Liberty means responsibility; that is why most men dread it."
George Bernard Shaw

Answer 2

Collective and individual freedoms are entirely different things, singularly you can do whatever you want but collectively in doing whatever you want you undermine others freedoms, disorderly conduct i believe is a bit of an odd law but in wearing your seatbelt you're not just protecting yourself but everyone else in the car from harm.
All kwas tend to have some valid reasoning behind them, apart from the unrepealed law that says you cannot eat mince pies on chirstmas day in britain (as imposed by Cromwell).

Answer 3

JFK said it "there are a group of individuals in this country who seek to enslave every man woman and child." Freedom is eroded in a few ways:
1) twisting the meaning of words to mean something else. I.e. redefining something as a privledge rather than a freedom
2) Using fear and false flag operations to make people give up liberty in exchange for security
3) Distraction/Complascence, nourish a material driven, poorly educated people who despise faith based values, respect nobody, have attention spans that can be measured in milliseconds and are too self absorbed to accomplish anything with others.

Answer 4

Because Americans sue for everything. Being an American I was surprised to see the lack of fences by the water and other things in Europe that would never fly here cause our laws give in to stupid people. Example the woman who ordered coffee from McDonald's and then put it between her legs, and got burned as she pulled the car away.

Answer 5

they make those laws for good intentions, such as screaming fire in a theater would cause panic, and if you dont wear your seatbelt you could more hurt if you didnt wear one, but you shouldnt get fined or jailed for those,
were not really a free society anymore, because of the terror bill, the government can break into your house, detain, jail , and/or torture you, completly legaly and without warrant, were slowly becoming free, to completely controlled, we shouldnt get punished for life decisions that may hurt us in the long run,

Answer 6

If i visit get of venture to make a difficulty loose to would magogi ki mujhay bhaut sara nutrition miley jo ki would un garib people's would baat saku jinay ki nutrition nahi mil tha or bina nutrition kay hi mar ja thay hai.

Answer 7

Those laws protect you. Yelling fire in a theater is wrong, it gets people freaked out for no reason. But I also agree with you, we arent free because Bush is our president. =[[[!

Answer 8

Animals in wilderness are free and they have to pay the price for it.Since we live in a society that gives us many fascilities and aminities,we have certain confirmations to observe.

Answer 9

Freedom is a idea that keep the masses quiet however if given actually freedom chaos would ensue.

Answer 10

In a few words-

Government
Politicians
The rich
Big business
Special interest groups