Is America free?
It certainly isn’t the land of the free, nor has it ever been.
It’s been a lie to keep in line those that really don’t pay any attention anyways.
I prefer a gov’t financed by voluntary donation.
America obviously gives in times of need. They’d give to support common causes as well.
I’m sure that those that didn’t contribute would soon have that reputation, and those that did would surely disassociate.
I am sure that the good people would support the government to protect them in their time of need of national defense. You cant really count on the bad people to do that. The bad people will expect for the good people to pay for them. That isnt fair that a few people pay for many. It is fair that everybody pays for their protection proportionately to their income.
Fair to whom?
I will pay for my own protection, thanks.
I do not have to be forced to pay for those that want to live at my expense.
If my neighbors are not gonna help me protect my property, I’ll find better neighbors, or die eliminating those that attack me.
I will not send men with guns to force you to pay for my security.
That increases my insecurity.
If I can force you to comply with my wishes, you will want to do the same to me.
So, you forcing me to comply with yours, requires that I resist the encroachment on my own sphere of power.
Please don’t talk of fair until you understand the other perspective of looking down the barrel of the gun you advocate weilding.
For it to be fair, I must have the option of saying ‘no’.
Otherwise it’s not a free choice, and it is not ‘fair’.
It the land of the free if you can figure out where true freedom is. It isn’t hard to discover…
The problem is that large, well organized armies usually beat a single person with a shotgun.
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it is not just america that is corrupt. Where was the world during the rawanda genocide in the 90’s. No “operation freedom” then . . . from any part of the world really.
We should all be deeply ashamed of ourselves or at least our leaders.
You do have the option of saying ‘no’ to paying taxes that support the military. You voice your opinion when you vote at the polls. Its called representation. Dealing with individuals on a case-by-case basis just isnt practical. The government we have in the U.S. isnt perfect, but it is one of the best.
can you define, “one of the best?”
Why does America have such immigration problems? Why do so many people from all over the world want to move here to America? Obviously, many people want a chance for a better life. Many people move to America because the reasons that America (the U.S.) has ‘one of the best’ governments. These reasons are evident.
You site that because america has large immigration, they must be the best.
This argument does not hold water primarily because america is not the only country that has really high immigration rates. Brazil, Japan, australia, Sweden and many other european countries also has very high immigraiton rates.
People usually migrate from areas that have gov’t issues, or because of natural reasources. Obviously there is a lack of resources in mexico geographically . . . they are in the dessert. You can’t grow much.
American has been the most generous nation on Earth and we happen to be the most free because we lack a government who is fabulously fascist enough to not trust her own citizens with firearms. =D> =D> =D>
and you forgot to add, one of the highest murder rates in industrial countries.
firearms is a term which masks their purpose, “killing mechanism.”
Thank you all for weighing in,…
Humans will always move from areas of pain to areas of pleasure.
It doesn’t always have to be true.
The lie of ‘The Land of the Free’ is becoming apparent to the world.
How can a country that proclaims ‘Liberty for All’ go to another country and force governance on them?
But the dream of streets of gold will keep people coming even when the reference is lost to museums, and oral histories.
I have found my freedom in just ignoring the power, I shouldn’t have to worry, but I still do.
As long as the power ignores me, I’m happy.
empire builders kill themselves in the process.
I would rather go sit by the river and eat my tunafish sandwich
(in other words, let those who love conflict reap the natural consequences of it)
America is superior to all other nations, we just so happened to be occupied right now…
Nope taxes are not a free choice if you want to remain in the USA, but you have the choice to leave and avoid the taxes.
Some are so very naive.
In a sane world our children would not be taught that might equals right. I’m ashamed that so many of you call yourselves philosophers.
Isn’t it the goal of philosophical thought to improve the human plight? At least those not solely concerned with classifications.
So, can we make true the lie that has been used to control the proles since this country’s inception?
Or must I pay for my freedom by not having indoor plumbing?
This is a sane world, so you are wrong. Unless you care to present evidence that this is an insane world, or that there’s any connection between sanity and the other, I will continue to assume that you are incorrect.
The feeling is mutual.
I don’t know, is it? I don’t think that’s been defined yet.
America has always been, from what I know, the most comfortable and generally nicest to live in country of all since it’s birth. For poor and rich alike. The poor are the richest poor in the world, the rich the richest rich. So if lies are what caused that, hooray for lies.
Actually, I think welfare covers that.
Do you want regulated freedom, freedom that often controls behavior to a certain degree (i.e. it is an executable offense to murder another), hum, what could be the other freedom. The Third World dictatorships? China, Cuba, Venezuela?
We live in a society that allows us a vote, free speech, the right to bear arms, etc., most second and third world nations do not have this. Canada may be good for you, but some groups are still attempting to impose Sharia Law upon Canadian Muslims.
With regards,
aspacia
I think it was that other one, the one that came up with the five proofs of God and all that. Aquinas, yes, that’s him.
Don’t get me started on Canada. It’s pretty much a country of socialist anti-bigotry.