What exactly does living in a free society mean to you? Do we live in a free society?

Aneeda72

Aneeda72

Well-known Member
Retired traveler gave me the ideal for this thread, so thanks.

I don’t think our society is “free”. I think at this point in time we have more socialistic tendencies than ever. What do you think?

Was our society ever a true democracy or are we a welfare state with socialistic tendencies? How would you define our society in general today? Are we free?
 

Last edited:
Freedom in the US is an illusion. You are on a long leash, to be sure, but when you get to the end of the same, rest assured that the pull-back may break your neck. In dealing with government entities, you soon find that absurd rules and regulations exist to keep you in check. I could list a few, but I won't, since I'd then be open to defending my reasons for including each and every one, and I'm not inclined to spend the time doing so.
 
Can't give a good answer without writing a book. We've always had 'socialistic tendencies'. Public schools, public trans, police, fire, public parks, public parking, public jails, etc. Anything with the word 'public' is socialistic. These are departments or institutions that we all pay for as part of government services. It's just so pathetic that people say 'socialism' and go on some rant about it as if it's communistic, or whatever (I don't know what kind of rot people think that don't understand all our socialist institutions). I hope they don't call the socialist fire department when their house burns down or call the socialist 911 when they are getting robbed.

Of course we have freedom. You can live, work, travel, practice religion (or not), raise a family (or not) wherever you want, crossing state lines, without a visa. You have (mostly) full choice and (mostly) freedom to go through your life and either act like a responsible adult or just live off others. As far as 'democracy', we have a representative democracy. If we had a full democratic system, everything would have to be voted on. Instead, we elect people to (supposedly) represent our views. Of course, more than half the country does not participate in that if you count the people who are not registered to vote because they refuse to do so. I've always believed one of the biggest problems, and that which causes so many problems, is the refusal of people to participate in elections. We have the freedom, especially in the towns/cities where we live, to control a lot of what happens to you on a daily basis. But local elections for mayor, city council (or whatever title you use locally) only have voter turnout averaging n the 20% range. Of course, the other 80% will complain because they have the freedom to do so and not participate in the process.

Agree with treeguy that we have an over reaching government with too many rules and regs, but won't start a political debate on that. Some rules/regs do restrict freedom, but of course, the intent is to protect us. How well that works out is sometimes debateable.
 

retiredtraveler said:
Can't give a good answer without writing a book. We've always had 'socialistic tendencies'. Public schools, public trans, police, fire, public parks, public parking, public jails, etc. Anything with the word 'public' is socialistic. These are departments or institutions that we all pay for as part of government services. It's just so pathetic that people say 'socialism' and go on some rant about it as if it's communistic, or whatever (I don't know what kind of rot people think that don't understand all our socialist institutions). I hope they don't call the socialist fire department when their house burns down or call the socialist 911 when they are getting robbed.

Of course we have freedom. You can live, work, travel, practice religion (or not), raise a family (or not) wherever you want, crossing state lines, without a visa. You have (mostly) full choice and (mostly) freedom to go through your life and either act like a responsible adult or just live off others. As far as 'democracy', we have a representative democracy. If we had a full democratic system, everything would have to be voted on. Instead, we elect people to (supposedly) represent our views. Of course, more than half the country does not participate in that if you count the people who are not registered to vote because they refuse to do so. I've always believed one of the biggest problems, and that which causes so many problems, is the refusal of people to participate in elections. We have the freedom, especially in the towns/cities where we live, to control a lot of what happens to you on a daily basis. But local elections for mayor, city council (or whatever title you use locally) only have voter turnout averaging n the 20% range. Of course, the other 80% will complain because they have the freedom to do so and not participate in the process.

Agree with treeguy that we have an over reaching government with too many rules and regs, but won't start a political debate on that. Some rules/regs do restrict freedom, but of course, the intent is to protect us. How well that works out is sometimes debateable.
Click to expand...

Good post! I agree with everything you said.
 
I'm a woman. I don't feel "free" in this society anymore. I feel humiliated, diminished and controlled.
 
Ronald Reagan said: "It is the job of government to protect the people, not to run their lives". Of course there are different definitions of "protect".
 
IMO we lost/traded much of our freedom during The Great Depression with the various government programs designed to stimulate the economy and lift the nation out of its economic collapse.

Today I agree that freedom is more of an illusion. It seems like everyone goes around waving the flag and talking about their rights with very little conversation about their responsibilities.

These days when we have a problem big or small the first thing you hear is: The government ought to do something to protect us or prevent this from happening.

Living in a free society is a tough job and I'm not sure that most Americans have the moxie to return to the days when it was up to an individual to take care of themselves and their families without government assistance/oversight of one type or another.

I just wish that Americans were willing to pay for the services that they expect/demand from the government by demanding a balanced federal budget and a serious plan to pay down the national debt to a more reasonable level.

Aren't you sorry you asked!:):playful::eek:nthego:
 
We're social animals. We're happiest being in a group, both for security and to provide for our needs. We also have an innate sense of right and wrong. That gives us our ability to evaluate our place in society, our duties, and expectations. Humans can always change the ways they interact with one another. That brings us to the definition of "freedom". What we call "freedom" is ability to maneuver through our individual desires and wants vs. the norms and rules of our culture. So "freedom" is highly individualized and means different things, at different times.

That said. I believe the question is do we have too many rules and regulations to be considered "free". Have we given up personal initiative for group security? The answer is which side of the equation do you believe you are. If you feel put upon and over taxed for the benefit of others, freedom could mean being "free" of those constraints. If you are denied basic needs by others, freedom could mean being "free" from those needs.
 
fuzzybuddy said:
We're social animals. We're happiest being in a group, both for security and to provide for our needs. We also have an innate sense of right and wrong. That gives us our ability to evaluate our place in society, our duties, and expectations. Humans can always change the ways they interact with one another. That brings us to the definition of "freedom". What we call "freedom" is ability to maneuver through our individual desires and wants vs. the norms and rules of our culture. So "freedom" is highly individualized and means different things, at different times.
That said. I believe the question is do we have too many rules and regulations to be considered "free". Have we given up personal initiative for group security? The answer is which side of the equation do you believe you are. If you feel put upon and over taxed for the benefit of others, freedom could mean being "free" of those constraints. If you are denied basic needs by others, freedom could mean being "free" from those needs.
Click to expand...

That's it in a nutshell. We are social animals and therefore live in communities. We have to live within definite parameters for that to work. Therefore there have to be laws and our personal freedom has to be limited.
 
Rosemarie said:
That's it in a nutshell. We are social animals and therefore live in communities. We have to live within definite parameters for that to work. Therefore there have to be laws and our personal freedom has to be limited.
Click to expand...
I agree. Even a member of the great northern socialist horde understands this.The trick is to find an equitable balance between the needs/rights of the many versus those of the individual.
 
Aneeda72 said:
Retired traveler gave me the ideal for this thread, so thanks.

I don’t think our society is “free”. I think at this point in time we have more socialistic tendencies than ever. Is this good or bad? What do you all think?
Click to expand...

Right. I would love to have the "freedom" that would go along with no Social Security or Medicare. Then I could enjoy living in poverty with no access to health care. Life would be so much better!

 
retiredtraveler said:
Can't give a good answer without writing a book. We've always had 'socialistic tendencies'. Public schools, public trans, police, fire, public parks, public parking, public jails, etc. Anything with the word 'public' is socialistic. These are departments or institutions that we all pay for as part of government services. It's just so pathetic that people say 'socialism' and go on some rant about it as if it's communistic, or whatever (I don't know what kind of rot people think that don't understand all our socialist institutions). I hope they don't call the socialist fire department when their house burns down or call the socialist 911 when they are getting robbed.

Of course we have freedom. You can live, work, travel, practice religion (or not), raise a family (or not) wherever you want, crossing state lines, without a visa. You have (mostly) full choice and (mostly) freedom to go through your life and either act like a responsible adult or just live off others. As far as 'democracy', we have a representative democracy. If we had a full democratic system, everything would have to be voted on. Instead, we elect people to (supposedly) represent our views. Of course, more than half the country does not participate in that if you count the people who are not registered to vote because they refuse to do so. I've always believed one of the biggest problems, and that which causes so many problems, is the refusal of people to participate in elections. We have the freedom, especially in the towns/cities where we live, to control a lot of what happens to you on a daily basis. But local elections for mayor, city council (or whatever title you use locally) only have voter turnout averaging n the 20% range. Of course, the other 80% will complain because they have the freedom to do so and not participate in the process.

Agree with treeguy that we have an over reaching government with too many rules and regs, but won't start a political debate on that. Some rules/regs do restrict freedom, but of course, the intent is to protect us. How well that works out is sometimes debateable.
Click to expand...

this sure saved me a lot of typing
 
It means living my life the way I want as long as it's not breaking any law or interfering with anyone else's life. I've been generally able to do this and so, yes, I live in a free society.
 
Aneeda, before I could answer that, I'd have to know your definition of a "free society." You ask if we live in one but do not give any definition of what a free society is.

If you mean absolute freedom to do anything we please, no matter the consequences, no rules or restrictions, of course not. That would be chaos.

If you mean the freedoms guaranteed in the First Amendment, my answer would be yes, pretty much.
 
I think that anyone who tries to lead a responsible life, not be a burden to others, and obeys the laws is living in a "Free Society". The "laws" are there for a worthwhile purpose, in the vast majority of cases, and if a person behaves, and doesn't think that the "world owes them a living", freedom is easily attainable.
 
Freedom is being able to live as one wishes as long as no one else in encroached upon. I will feel most free when I am living in a self sufficient community. The sweeping legalization of marijuana indicates to me that we are becoming more free. There has recently been some horrible grandstanding legislation regarding abortion, but the courts will have to uphold Roe.

There is a hidden control of propaganda. Attitudes and behaviors are shaped by government, business, news outlets, schools, and religion. One has to be vigilant to avoid this type of legal control. Troll farms are a new addition to the manipulation.

Ideally, socialism should move past businesses to government. However, that level of power tends to breed corruption. I have written a few outlines for a more socialist government, but I know that people are trained to fight against it on principle and the Animal Farm effect.
 
Last edited:
It's been free enough for me. For others?? Up to them to decide. I think it's less about the laws that we actually have in place, to eliminate total chaos and a "dog eat dog" society, and our place in that society.

I hear people from our older generation talking about how great the old times were, when we were younger. I enjoyed them also, but if I had to stand in the shoes of a poor, minority or gay person, I might not have thought they were such wonderful years.

People complain constantly about the "gubmet" and it's laws, but quickly look to the local zoning laws when one of their neighbors decide to repair cars on his front lawn. It doesn't make a perfect world but you do need some restrictions for folks who want to push the boundaries of accepted behavior.
 
There's been a lot of whining in some quarters about all the "unnecessary" laws that restrict their freedoms. What they fail to take into consideration is that while small homogeneous societies can function well with a minimum of "laws", larger, more varied populations covering large areas of geography require more laws and regulations to keep peace order. Too many are too willing to take advantages of various holes in legislation to cheat, steal and otherwise take advantage of other people. Even with supposedly protective laws, some manipulate the government to do it anyway. Can you imagine what would happen if most of the protective laws were done away with?
 
chic said:
I'm a woman. I don't feel "free" in this society anymore. I feel humiliated, diminished and controlled.
Click to expand...

Why?

I am a woman, and I am free to live where I want, work where I want, worship where I want, spend my money on the things that I choose. No one controls my thoughts, or my actions.
 
As a woman, I will never feel truly free while at least one in three women are brutalised in one sort of assault or another. Usually by someone they know, often by a loved one. One in six men experience this also.
 
My feeling is that one person's freedom ends where the next guy's foot begins.
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top