I just KNOW I'm going to be flamed like crazy over this, but here goes:
a. Why do American consider themselves to be any more free
than other Western people?
- I believe it is possible that many other western countries have made advances in the personal freedom of their individual citizens. This is the only explaination that I can offer as to why you feel that you are so free (and I'm not debating that) I'm not going to get into an "Americans invented the internet/wheel/sliced bread" discussion here, I will just ask the old standard, which is: "Why have so many people from western countries immigrated to the USA in the last century?" I, myself, am a mix of Irish, French, German and Norwegian. My ancestors immigrated here because they would have more opportunities here in the USA. Perhaps it was purely a economic move, but I would draw your attention to the idea that many people in "less free" countries (China, Russia, parts of Korea ETC) have a poverty level that is quite a bit higher than the USA. I firmly believe that the supression of ideas in these countries is directly linked to this problem. To loosely quote another post from a couple weeks ago: "Europe is free, that's why people were madly fleeing from complete freedom and comfort" (VERY LOOSE on that quote)
I am at least thankful that you didnt use the standard USA complaints like "you have no healthcare and you old people are poor" Which tends to be what I hear from people from the Netherlands... Indeed, this is the sad case, but I really like the fact that I can use my tax dollars for what I want, as opposed to the countries out there that tax you like crazy for your own good. I have not needed to see a doctor in 15 years. (knock on wood) and I'm relatively sure that when I DO see one, the charges will be less than the tens of thousands of dollars I would have spent on Government run health care in the last 15 years. There, I've been meaning to say that for a while now... sorry for the off topic rant.
Why am I more free than other people? Because I can go where I please without papers, say what I want without fear of retribution, Print what I want and be sure of readers, and do what I want (within the law)
There are many countries where this is not so easily the case out there.
Dictionary.com say this as it's first defination of freedom:
freeˇdom Pronunciation Key (frdm)
n.
The condition of being free of restraints.
I cannot think of one area in which my country has restrained me. In fact, I got my house through a government loan. I feel that my government ENABLES me to do far more than it disables me to do.. Oh, and I can get a BJ, have ANAL, and in some states, legally fuck a sheep. I know that there are some odd laws still on the books, but is this not the case with other western countries?
for instance:
France:
-Between the hours of 8AM and 8PM, 70% of the music in the radio must be by French composers.
Thailand:
-It is illegal to leave your house if you are not wearing underwear.
-You must wear a shirt while driving a car.
-You must pay a fine of $600 in Thailand if you're caught throwing away chewed bubblegum on the sidewalk. If you do not pay the fine, you are jailed.
-No one may step on any of the nation's currency.
England
-Those wishing to use a television must apply for a license.
-It is illegal to leave baggage unattended.
-Picking up abandoned baggage is as act of terrorism
I've always felt that Australia has more odd laws than the USA, check these out!
Australia:
-Children may not purchase cigarettes, but can smoke them.
-You may never leave your car keys in an unattended vehicle.
-It is illegal to roam the streets wearing black clothes, felt shoes and black shoe polish on your face as these items are the tools of a cat burglar.
-It is illegal to read someone's tarot, or give them a psychic reading as these are forms of witchcraft.
-Under Australian Communications Authority (ACA) regulations, your modem can't pick up on the first ring. If it does the ACA permit for your modem is invalid and there's a $12000 fine. - Telecommunications Act 1991.
Check out some more of those wacky western nations that have dumb laws here:
http://www.dumblaws.com/countries/index.html
but remember to check out some of the USA's doozies while you're at it... Just try to remember that the USA is comprised of 50 semi autonomis states whose early laws were not necessarily ratified by any national authority, so to make it fair, remember to compile 50 foreign countries worth of dumb laws first
b. Why does US government say that it's defending the freedom of American people when it goes to war?
I'll be brief on this one (I can hear you all applauding)
I feel that my government is defending my freedom when they attack those that have threatened my freedom. I was on my honeymoon in the bahamas when the WTC was destroyed. I lost the freedom to go to my grandfathers funeral in California (he passed away on the 10th) Because of people like Osama Bin Laden and other radicals. I was kept in Florida for 4 additional days because of the fear of further attacks. This fear was not brought on bysome law written in 1897 an never repealed because nobody ever followed it anyways. It was brought on by people who have no respect for my freedom whatsoever.
"Repression of thought is like a VD. It's never welcome when It comes, yet, those who crontract it, feel a terrible urge to spread it around"
The USA is NOT perfect. I smell the manure from the horse ranch 4 miles away on a clear windy day. I am pissed off that my neighbor painted his house some kind of bright green. We have more to do with Judiasm in the Middle East than we need to... But, I have the right to do whatever I want to make my life my own. My government stays out of my life, and keeps my family safe. ALL of this is why I'm free. More free than you? I dont know, but I dont care. I just want to be able to love my country and call myself free without people who've never lived here flaming me... I REALLY look forward to visiting Finland some day, and you can show me how wrong I am over a Palvasalmi Pale Ale.
Drew