WHAT DOES FREEDOM MEAN TO YOU?

And How Long Can We Keep it?

“Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom assumes responsibility and most people are afraid of it.” – Sigmund Freud

Responsibility of Freedom

I’ve noticed that the few Americans who really appreciate the freedoms we enjoy are those who legally immigrated from socialist/communist countries.  They are aware of the daily benefits which include: freedom to move about the country without being hassled, freedom from persecution by government agents, freedom to criticize/oppose the government and so much more. 

Those born here take it all these freedoms for granted.  Visiting other countries, they may find themselves shocked at how different it can be.  But as Freud notes, the “gift” of freedom comes with responsibility.  You own what you choose to do.  As an example, choosing to go to a very expensive college and incurring debt means your freedom to choose that college comes with a hefty price tag.  You must pay it back.  If people don’t pay what they owe, money is not available to the next person wishing to attend college. 

If you have sex, you are responsible for three major things—birth control, safe sexual practices and not having sex without permission.  If you drive drunk, you can expect to find your driving freedom curtailed.  And so, it goes.

When enough people fail to take responsibility for their actions, government likes to move in and tell you what to do (although it isn’t clear this is true in the Soros-controlled Biden administration).  Too many people have forgotten the” cost” of freedom or simply choose to ignore it.  Children aren’t held to the same standards—we cut them some slack.  But when you act like a child, you will get treated like one, which means the loss of choice.

What is Freedom?

Too often, people like to define freedom to suit themselves.  However, in reality, each of us has the freedom to do what we like as long as we don’t hurt other people and we don’t force them to do things or give us things because we want them.  In other words, your freedom stops at your nose.

You may have the freedom to live where you want, but you owe the mortgage or rent for the place.  No one owes you housing.  Want to eat?  Get a job.  Your needs and wants may not impose a burden on anyone else.  While we are a generous people and seek to help those in need, that doesn’t mean lifelong need.  The small percentage of people that actually cannot provide for themselves, (rather than are simply unwilling to do so), can easily be supported by our taxes or, as in the past, by voluntary contributions.  Each adult is responsible for providing for his or her needs and those of the children they produce. 

In this way, we have to understand that freedom isn’t unlimited, even in our country where we enjoy a wealth of freedoms.  There are always tradeoffs.  You are free to spend every cent you make, but you are then also obligated to work until you die, as you will not have saved for retirement.  You are free to take up risky sports, but they may kill or maim you.  You may build your house right next to the ocean or in marshy swampland, but it’s not my job to rebuild your house when nature destroys it.

If you don’t understand what freedom actually represents and what responsibility it imposes on you, you don’t deserve what so many gave their lives to grant to us.  The phrase “freedom isn’t free” is an important one to think about. 

One Cost We All Owe

Fewer people each year have had the experience of serving in our military.  I have noticed less respect and deference to those who sacrificed, at the very least, years of their lives to protect us.  While we enjoy virtually unlimited liberty, we need to remember who made it happen.  It wasn’t a President or Congress.  Our military stands ready to protect us and guarantee our way of life.

As such (and as we approach Veteran’s Day), let’s remember who we should credit for our freedoms.  We need to invest more in the tools of their trade, to ensure they have the best equipment when they go to war.  We need to provide them excellent health care, as they often come home less healthy than when they left.  We should provide education and other support when they leave the service.  And we need to help their families when they pay the ultimate price.  Without our military, we would not be the country we know and love. 

Next time you hear about Congress cutting military spending to fund more services for illegals or for those who refuse to work, consider how you vote.  We need to honor our military, not just on a few days of the year, but in how we vote. 

“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” – Ronald Reagan