Reply #6: Freedom Defined

[erpowers]

Freedom is the ability to live your life as you please without someone forcing you to do certain things or preventing you from doing certain things. Freedom does not encompass doing every thing you want to do. For instance, a person is not free to shoot people just because they think it is cool.

I think we still have freedom; however, there are those who seem to want to take some of that freedom away. I think it should always be remembered that many political writers have said that the people who wish to take freedom away from people will always talk about freedom while trying to take it away. I believe Sinclair Lewis said "When Fascism come to America it will be draped in a flag and carrying a cross". I do not completely agree with Lewis, but that is what he said. It was also said that "patriotism was the last resort of scoundrels".

I think the reason we hear so much about freedom from those who may be trying to take freedom away from people is that they realize people will not support having freedom taken away if they are outright told freedoms will be taken away. Therefore, they have to tell people they are trying to give freedom. People must be told that freedom will be given, but in order to be stay safe one freedom or certain freedoms may have to be taken away.