Whatif Makes a Query about Freedom

Another member was questioning the "land of the free" quip used so often in our country. I gather he seems to believe we are not so free. It made me wonder what "free" looks like to others. I imagine there is the usual private ownership of property where the property owner should be free to do with his property as he sees fit. Translated that means no zoning laws ever. Why shouldn't a landowner be able to build an "adult movie store" next to a church? Or a school. Or in your neighborhood. That would be free. Or, why should a property owner not be able to use his property for a landfill regardless of where it is located. That would be free.

So what is free? What would satisfy people? What would it take? No taxes? Never gonna happen. Total property rights? Nada.

But, we do happen to live in a "free" country relative to many other countries albeit our freedom does seem to diminish a bit more by the year. Personally, I feel free enough to suit my lifestyle. I can pretty much do whatever I can afford to do. I can paint my house a shocking pink if I wanted to. I can drive a clunker car around town (not in Singapore--that bastion of capitalism). I can carry a gun most everywhere except to church and the courthouse.

How free is free?

'Free' will often come down to anecdotal exchanges. Between various countries there are certainly variations on what makes for 'freedom'.

I think that the issue with freedom here in this country is that there is no philisophical point where the state does not view itself as having an interest in your choice and an enforceable interest at that. Who you hire (freedom of association); who you fire (the same); how much energy you can use in your TV (California); how you wire your house; what shots your dogs have to get; any and all considerations with your children... really the list is endless because the perogatives of the state are endless.

No doubt that either by culture or statute many things were not as free (and certainly not for all segments of our society) in past times as people might think. However, the state has grown increasingly capable of getting you. We now have database upon database, list upon list, agency upon agency, rule upon rule, law upon law. We are all criminals now. Further the visciousness of law enforcement seems to be on the rise. I have no doubt law enforcement has always had a bully mentality. But it seems now that its most ferocious outlets once reserved for the black population have now spread into the rest of the country and into the schools.

I think Fred Reed points out some of the freedoms of Mexico that come about simply because people either don't care what you do or that the state is too inept to enforce its rules. I have heard the same from a commentator who resides in Italy. The Italians have plenty of laws, but having been blessed for ages by inept govt the people choose to ignore items like taxes. American's only recently seem to be moving more to a total disrespect for the state. Our compliance is high and so our real freedoms less.

So, philosophy and anecdotes. However, if you like to live as a king while being poor... enjoy high definition TV, internet access and easy sex and pornography... has there ever been a better time to live?