Liberty - A Middle Class Excuse?

[socialist2000]

Ive noticed that the USA always refers to its huge amounts of liberty, Statue of liberty ect. And i always seem to see americans say its their liberty to do carry guns, their liberty to hunt, ect. This is also gerenaly the rich people as well.

All this while millions starve around the globe because its America's liberty to exploit them in all walks of life. Culture, economy, policy ect.

What about their liberty that seems to be conviniently forgotten.

[Saint-Just]

The U.S. is extremely liberal. However, their influence on other countries creates very illiberal (thats a word, but the wrong word, however you see what I mean) situations indeed.

[Pete]

I believe that word is conservative :)

[Xvall]

Yes. The United States is full of wonderful freedoms; at the expense, of course, of South American children.

[CruelVerdad]

Liberty is an illusion, people inside te US think they have liberty, but that´s because they haven´t seen was going on in the rest of the world!

[Sol]

The average US citizen has a lot of personal freedoms, but not as much as he's told he has. He has the freedom to get a basic education, a halfway decent job (usually), and to spend spend spend.

Meanwhile, he's told to let politicians handle that boring gov't stuff and to have pride in "the greatest nation on earth" where he enjoys freedoms unavailable anywhere else. Sadly, most of us buy into the bullshit.

[socialist2000]

Very true, however i do not believe that a mexican for example or a black man has the same libertys as a W.A.S.P (white anglo saxson, protestant) Starange that.

[KRAZYKILLA]

THE MAJORITY OF PEOPLE HAVE NO POWER. ONLY PEOPLE WITH POWER CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE. I REFUSE TO ACCEPT YOUR ARGUMENT.

[Umoja]

No, direct democracy is tiresome. Most people don't want to get involved in politics, that's why we don't need a direct democracy in the United States, we need to worry about the poors lives, and be more involved in who we elected, not do everything with everyone because not enough people would care.

[American Kid]

For what then should we exchange for this liberty? Should we "cash" it in?

Lookit, I know my country's fucked. What isn't? But what's the alternative? Loss of freedom of assembly? Speech?

I'll stick a fucking knife in your heart if you attempt to deny me my right to speak what's on my mind.

I guess what I'm saying is the US could stand to give, give, give a little more. No doubt. But would I be willing to sacrifice my (very real, despite what the hatahs say) liberties in order to make things better? Negative.

A land where people have absolute freedom is a step in the right direction. Our economic/foriegn policies leave much to be desired, but the one thing we did get right, is civil liberties. Regardless.

It's fucked, but it's a start.

-ak

(Edited by American Kid at 8:17 am on Mar. 8, 2003)

[socialist2000]

Fair point ak but you say their are large amounts of rights for people in america. I agree especialy if your from a well off middle class afimly. But not if your a second generation mexican living a westernised slum.

[Hate Your State]

The USA does NOT have civil liberties right, AK. It approaches 3rd world living conditions for many minorities, which add up to millions.

[American Kid]

It absolutely does.

Give me some stats on these 3rd world conditions.

wurd

ak

[Hate Your State]

3rd world conditions are the least of your problems. The country now endorses the kidnapping of any Arab who is suspected of being a terrorist. "Enemy combatants" is what they are called.

Racial and political minorities have their rights taken away, it's GLARINGLY obvious. Natives are packed onto reserves (have you ever been in one?), Mexicans and blacks live in slums. Ever heard the term "white trash"? What your government calls affordable housing is really just deteriorating housing. Don't tell me you need statistics in front of you to see this. Those are a handful of examples, I can give more.

Statistics lie, as we all know.

[EnvelopedInFear]

Where do you live, Hate Your State?

Maybe where you lived you could be denied the chances of a good life. Why not have the majority of people living well, and a few suffering, than having the whole populous suffering. When its put in terms like that, you'd be dangerous to pick the latter.