Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
Sep 27th 2016, 1:58 am
#16
Austin. TX.
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 5,930
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
You're making the wrong comparisons....
Freer than Saudi Arabia? North Korea? China? Afghanistan? Pakistan?
India? Japan? Russia?
Freer than the British in the 19th Century when the constitution was written?
I was living in France when they instigated Vigipirate ecarlate - my kids were locked in school and I could not get them out, armed soldiers on the streets in my quiet little town. With no warning whatsoever, martial law was forced on us. I didn't feel particularly free then
I feel freer in the US but it comes with more responsibility (healthcare and pensions off the top of my head), more dangers (other people's right to have a gun) and more consideration for other people's opinions.
Freer than Saudi Arabia? North Korea? China? Afghanistan? Pakistan?
India? Japan? Russia?
Freer than the British in the 19th Century when the constitution was written?
I was living in France when they instigated Vigipirate ecarlate - my kids were locked in school and I could not get them out, armed soldiers on the streets in my quiet little town. With no warning whatsoever, martial law was forced on us. I didn't feel particularly free then
I feel freer in the US but it comes with more responsibility (healthcare and pensions off the top of my head), more dangers (other people's right to have a gun) and more consideration for other people's opinions.
Sep 27th 2016, 2:53 am
#17
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,824
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
I have read (though I lack a citation close to hand) that the franchise jumped from 3% as was in Britain to a whopping 6% in the fledgling USA
Sep 27th 2016, 2:52 pm
#20
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
No simple answer and things are changing faster than I ever expected.
Some things absolutely, I remember pulling out my pocket knife and my Brother mentioning that would get you arrested in the UK. Obviously you are allowed to defend yourself.
Somebody I was talking to had trouble with squatters in the UK and was a total nightmare, here much easier and quickly resolved.
Other things much less so. So no clear answer.
Some things absolutely, I remember pulling out my pocket knife and my Brother mentioning that would get you arrested in the UK. Obviously you are allowed to defend yourself.
Somebody I was talking to had trouble with squatters in the UK and was a total nightmare, here much easier and quickly resolved.
Other things much less so. So no clear answer.
Sep 27th 2016, 3:12 pm
#21
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
I don't notice any real difference in the day to day. Other than a few things here and there, surely living in any 'Western' country is going to feel pretty much the same wherever you are.
Sep 27th 2016, 10:29 pm
#23
He/him
Joined: Dec 2006
Location: WA
Posts: 18,824
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
It really is a matter of how you see things, your perspective.
I view the NHS as providing freedom, freedom from worry, but many Americans view it as a restriction on choice.
I view access to private land, that the right to roam (CROW 2000) solidified, as a freedom. I have not discussed it with many Americans, but I can imagine many will be horrified at it. I get horrified at the cost of a days access to a National Park.
Its all swings and roundabouts and perspective.
I view the NHS as providing freedom, freedom from worry, but many Americans view it as a restriction on choice.
I view access to private land, that the right to roam (CROW 2000) solidified, as a freedom. I have not discussed it with many Americans, but I can imagine many will be horrified at it. I get horrified at the cost of a days access to a National Park.
Its all swings and roundabouts and perspective.
Sep 28th 2016, 5:06 pm
#24
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2013
Location: Monterey, CA
Posts: 2,554
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
My mate does. I know because we've discussed after downing a few beers. We've also discussed why America is (or isn't) the greatest country on earth and why Trump isn't (or is) a ****ing dangerous ****!
Sep 28th 2016, 6:10 pm
#25
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
Your replies are being monitored by the "Free" state. There is no such thing as free, someone will always be in control. It's just different in the US.
In the US it's corporations and the Police. The corporation lobbyists control the Government here. In the UK the people have more of a say without having deadly consequences.
In the US it's corporations and the Police. The corporation lobbyists control the Government here. In the UK the people have more of a say without having deadly consequences.
Sep 28th 2016, 6:38 pm
#27
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Sep 28th 2016, 9:26 pm
#28
Conditional Resident
Joined: Apr 2016
Location: IL
Posts: 184
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
that pisses me off with America (not having a go but the attitude you see nowadays), it seams that if you disagree with someone's view the automatic answer is well leave then. 
to which I just want to then punch them in the face.
to which I just want to then punch them in the face.
Sep 28th 2016, 10:04 pm
#29
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
Sep 29th 2016, 12:09 am
#30
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jul 2008
Location: Portlandia Metro
Posts: 7,425
Re: Do you consider yourself to be living in a free'er country with more freedom?
What other free will there be? Free to get drunk maybe.
