Question about freedom and democracy?

Question

For any North Americans out there, do you feel that we have forgotten how to fight for freedom or political change in our own countries?
Is it possible that living in relative peace and luxury for so long has made us complacent? Any solutions?

Answer 1

I think you are mistaken. Look at all the different groups that protest various issues on a regular basis. You are seeing freedom in action. The freedom to assemble, freedom of the press, freedom of speech, often even freedom of religion -- all these freedoms are being utilized. Even the extremist activists are allowed to present their views. There are not a lot of countries in the world which allow all of this.
I don't think we've "forgotten" how to fight for freedom or political change, but I do believe a lot of people take these rights for granted and forget or overlook (in many cases conveniently) that these freedoms and rights have been earned by the sacrifice made by others.
As for democracy, you can always vote for people you think can get the job done, or vote against people you think are not doing a good job. My city just annexed enough people to double the city population, but those that were annexed (and did not like it) gained the right to vote in city elections. They promptly voted out the mayor that pushed the annexation plan, as well as city council members that were affiliated with the annexation. That proves that if you tick enough people off they WILL vote you out of office!!
The best way to uphold the democratic ideal is to vote responsibly. That means you research the issues and vote for the people that you think are best qualified to hold office. Honor the people who have sacrificed by using and protecting these rights and freedoms in a responsible manner.

Answer 2

I think that in order for something to be valuable, our right to it has to be threatened. We as Americans don't value our freedom because we cannot conceive of any possibility of losing it.
This is human nature.
If we don't put a premium on the rights we take for granted, they will slowly be eroded, until we don't even recognize ourselves anymore.
I look back at the things that have changed in my lifetime, and I am terrified, but the young people don't have anything to compare their current reality with, and they see themselves living pretty well.
Until we are all scared, nothing will change.
I am hopeful that enough of us are scared now to begin that change. If we do it now, we might be able to do it without some catastrophic event forcing our hand.
If not, that catastrophic event will come, and we might not be able to change anything anymore.

Answer 3

When you risk life and limb for freedom and democracy, when you see firsthand the lack thereof in other nations, it becomes a bit more dear to you.

Yes, most Americans take it for granted, even while our military is overseas defending it at great risk to their own lives. Not only defending our own freedoms but protecting the lives of citizens of other nations and giving them their own opportunity for democracy in a fight against a common enemy of life, liberty and freedoms of many nations.

He who has nothing worth dying for has nothing worth living for.

Answer 4

America needs a revolution to recover freedom and democracy

Answer 5

When you go to the polls vote everyone out everytime and they maybe will get the message that we aren't going to take their **** anymore. I've done it for years and feel like a silent voice.

Answer 6

Read what our forefathers said and as the Nike ads say "Just Do It!"

But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security."

This is quoted from the American Declaration of Independence!

"When ancient opinions and rules of life are taken away, the loss cannot possibly be estimated. From that moment we have no compass to govern us, nor can we know distinctly to what port to steer."
Edmund Burke

"Nobody makes a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could only do a little."
Edmund Burke

In the beginning of a change, the Patriot is a scarce man, Brave, Hated, and Scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him, For then it costs nothing to be a Patriot.
Mark Twain 1835 -1910

The government is merely a servant — merely a temporary servant; it cannot be its prerogative to determine what is right and what is wrong, and decide who is a patriot and who isn't. Its function is to obey orders, not originate them.
Mark Twain 1835 -1910

Loyalty to the country always. Loyalty to the government when it deserves it.
Mark Twain 1835 -1910

The only difference between a tax man and a taxidermist is that the taxidermist leaves the skin.
Mark Twain

There is no distinctly native American criminal class save Congress.
Mark Twain

If ever a time should come, when vain and aspiring men shall possess the highest seats in Government, our country will stand in need of its experienced patriots to prevent its ruin.
Samuel Adams

"If ye love wealth greater than liberty, the tranquility of servitude greater than the animating contest for freedom, go home from us in peace. We seek not your counsel nor your arms. Crouch down and lick the hand that feeds you and may posterity forget that ye were once our countrymen."
Samuel Adams

"The Constitution shall never be construed ... to prevent the people of the United States who are peaceable citizens from keeping their own arms."
Samuel Adams


"The liberties of our country, the freedom of our civil constitution are worth defending at all hazards; and it is our duty to defend them against all attacks. We have received them as a fair inheritance from our worthy ancestors: they purchased them for us with toil and danger and expense of treasure and blood, and transmitted them to us with care and diligence. It will bring an everlasting mark of infamy on the present generation, enlightened as it is, if we should suffer them to be wrested from us by violence without a struggle, or be cheated out of them by the artifices of false and designing men."
Samuel Adams

We must not let our rulers load us with perpetual debt. We must make our election between economy and liberty or profusion and servitude. If we run into such debt, as we must be taxed in our meat and in our drink, in our necessaries and our comforts, in our labors and our amusements, for our calling and our creeds… we will have no time to think, no means of calling our miss-managers to account, but we will be glad to obtain subsistence by hiring ourselves to rivet their chains on the necks of our fellow suffers… And this is the tendency of all human governments. A departure from principle in one instance becomes a precedent foe another… till the bulk of society is reduced to be mere automatons of misery… And the fore-horse of this frightful team is public debt. Taxation follows that, and in it’d train wretchedness and oppression.
Thomas Jefferson 1743-1826
"The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants. It is its natural manure."
Thomas Jefferson


"The spirit of resistance to government is so valuable on certain occasions that I wish it to be always kept alive."
Thomas Jefferson

"... whenever any form of government becomes destructive ... it is the right of the people to alter or abolish it..."
Thomas Jefferson

Government is not reason, it is not eloquence. It is force, and like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action.
George Washington

"Our country's honor calls upon us for a vigorous and manly exertion; and if we now shamefully fail, we shall become infamous to the whole world"
George Washington


“The brave man inattentive to his duty, is worth little more to his country than the coward who deserts her in the hour of danger.”
Andrew Jackson

“It is to be regretted that the rich and powerful too often bend the acts of government to their selfish purposes.”
Andrew Jackson

“History records that the money changers have used every form of abuse, intrigue, deceit, and violent means possible to maintain their control over governments by controlling the money and its issuance.”
James Madison

The only good bureaucrat is one with a pistol at his head. Put it in his hand and it's good-bye to the Bill of Rights.
H L Mencken

The trade of governing has always been monopolized by the most ignorant and the most rascally individuals of mankind.
Thomas Paine

Beware the greedy hand of government, thrusting itself into every corner and crevice of industry.
Thomas Paine

If we continue to ask for truth, then refuse to listen.
Mankind will forever, be doomed to destruction.