What is Freedom?
 

More to the point, how am I benefiting from freedom and liberty? I'm unsure as to what "liberty" means. So then, what freedom do I really have?

I don't realize any freedom unless I'm pushing the envelope of civil disobedience. The Constitution protects people who are "really sticking their necks out", be it for folly or personal gain. In other words, even in a dictatorship, I would be one of the last ones to be hoisted on my own pitard. It's a variation on "the squeaky wheel gets the grease" adage. Daily, I see how entertainers, politicians, and powerful people are benefiting from freedom, as they have the most to gain from outrageous behavior.

edit: I eliminated my "list of grievances" as they are, as Dantilla observed, whiney. I approved it last night, but, now I vote against it.

Bob

Thomas Jefferson once said:

"Democracy is two wolves and a sheep deciding what to have for dinner. Liberty is a well armed sheep contesting their decision."

BTW, the bill of rights USED to protect you from the government, but somewhere around the 14th amendment it started protecting the government from YOU.

Pete

Finally! A thread worth engaging in.

Freedom is, of course, subjective. It is also wealth-dependent. Our friend on the board, Tabs, is free to eat at Vegas buffets, drink all he wants, gamble, and I assume garner hookers to his life's content. That is a form of freedom as is vacationing in The Alps, or early retirement, etc.

Freedom, as it is dependent on monetary gains, also prevents a person from being scrutinized. Cash talks - no credit cards needed. Airline tickets? Well, your personal assistant does that, etc.

The poorer you are, the less free you are. If poor, you are heavily scrutinized, because you put yourself "out there" for loans, credit cards, etc.

The one true freedom all of us have is to throw up our hands and say "Enough." One can opt out of society. Simply disappear. But what would you be then? Homeless most likely as it takes scrutiny to enable a person to buy or rent a place to live.

Then there's the ultimate freedom, which is suicide...

It's bleak being human, huh?

nope. it's only bleak to be a human that doesn't have the courage to say "enough"

Actually isn't that illegal in most states?

yes. they will resuscitate you and then have you shot

LOL! :D

This weekend I am free to drive to Portland to see the ALMS racing at PIR. Last Saturday I was free to hop in a Beechcraft Bonanza and fly to the coast for breakfast. I'm free to take my family on vacation without anybody's permission. I'm free to buy real estate and make a profit. In a few weeks I'm going to freely go to Canada for a few days. I'm free to live where I want, and do what I want to do.

I'm free to enjoy life.

You're free to whine.

Freedom and liberty are the ability to ask this question and not fear much for your life.

It's got very little to do with traffic.

I hate that I can't get out of 2nd gear on my way to work. That certainly makes me feel like a slave to the grind.