Freedom is Just Another Word...

essay

I'll wait until you get that song out of your heads.

Besides, Janis was singing about only one possible type of freedom... the type which comes from casting off all possessions and responsibilities and cutting all ties with family and friends, in order to become a transient wanderer or an observant sage. It doesn't speak to the official freedoms given to us by our Constitution and Bill of Rights... if the word 'freedom' is even appropriate.

Freedom is the cornerstone of American society. It is proclaimed by everyone, on every official document, imbued onto every note of tender. Our forefathers fought for freedom in the early days of our country and did not back down until it was theirs. We gladly bring freedom to the people of any countries who wish it, provided they also are willing to fight for it.

Freedom is the ability to make a plan for your future and being able to carry it out without running afoul of needless and petty laws. Freedom is being able to ski in the winter and sail in the summer, and bowl whenever you want to. Freedom is America. Freedom is... ours.

Or is it?

Before we dangle our wonderful freedoms out in front of the world, perhaps it would be wise to perform a little introspection, to take a small litmus test perhaps. We probably need to ask ourselves what freedom really means, here in this country, in this day and age. Are we actually experiencing what our founding fathers would have called freedom, here and now? Can we truly do whatever we want, as you would imagine freedom means, while in the pursuit of happiness?

Of course not.

There are a whole host of social behaviors we must follow in order to be considered successful. There have been countless laws passed in recent decades which prevent us from doing many things that we would call 'free'. When those laws and conventions are spread out before us and learned in their totality, we see that many of the things we take for granted as freedoms are actually illegal or immoral. Some may not view it that way, insisting that the law doesn't police their lives and they have wide-ranging rights that allow them to behave in a manner consistent with the preamble, "the pursuit of happiness". We do have freedoms; however, what may be surprising is how little freedom we actually have.

As an example: Are you aware that with the powers granted to the Patriot Act by George Bush following the attacks of September 11, 2001, now American authorities have exactly the same power as the KGB did during the cold war? Now they can (without due process) enter your home and take you (disregarding your Miranda rights) and hold you (lawyers be damned) as long as they want. You may not believe this because you don't see it happening... but as with other 'secret' police forces throughout history, most of this behavior occurs in private, in remote areas and in the early hours of the morning.

But this is not an essay about freedom in America so relax, put your Glock 9 and assorted assault rifles back into your walk-in gun safe and continue reading. It IS an essay, however, which will ask you to look at the term 'freedom' and the 'free' practices occurring within the public arena. It is an article which will ask you to decide for yourself how important the practice of freedom is, if we never bring into play an equal measure of personal and social responsibility.

We have the right to say whatever we want, right? So that we can thwart oppression, wherever it raises its filthy and disease-infested head. That is an important freedom and we need to keep it pure. But running concurrently is a vital American concept called 'Capitalism' (the rule system for business) which allows a businessman to say anything he wants to earn a living, even to the point of irresponsibility.

Without responsibility, some unscrupulous souls will lie openly about their product to sell more, and then lie about the return policy to keep the money they have swindled.

Without responsibility, politicians will tell you one truth to be elected, but once elected vote any way they see fit and disregard the voices of those he represents.

Without responsibility, a person may yell 'fire' in a crowded theater or 'bomb' in a crowded plane, ignoring possible violent consequences.

Because of that, laws have been passed to restrict our freedom of speech. While intending to thwart problems like the examples above, careless laws have instead given the courts a number of potent tools to limit speech, and careless lawmakers have manipulated those laws to increase their hold on the people.

As it turns out, Freedom of Speech is a double-edged sword, professing many grand promises but watching carefully for anybody that crosses that line.

A Comparative Analysis between America and World Family

So we've figured out that freedom is a tricky thing and depends upon how much of a dust-up each situation is likely to cause on the political front. Of course this blog is about our next social structure, not our current one... so where does freedom lie in a World Family?

One restriction which is not placed upon us currently in America is how rude, deceptive or manipulatively we act towards each other. This is a behavior which has no place in the World Family-- in a transparent society of mature individuals, equal standing is the norm, not the goal. Rudeness, deception and manipulation are behaviors which undermine the value of others, actions which have no reward in Perfect World. The collective efforts of people as a whole is to maintain equal status across all individuals regardless of social indicators like occupation, race, age et al.

All Perfect Worlders have their freedom restricted in this manner-- they are expected to be courteous and polite, and there is nothing to gain by behaving in a manner contrary to the goal of civility. If there are 'punishments' in the World Family, then required time in the podschools for psychological analysis and to brush up on socially responsible behaviors during interactivity would be the extent of it. However, should a member be incorrectly placed in a PW city and repeatedly fails at the contract of social decency, adjustments are made to their schedules to limit interaction with others in the short term. In more difficult cases there are a few mandatory, locked door podschools with more intense education schedules. The final step for an unwilling participant is ejection; they will be quietly returned to their originating city and helped into housing and employment. No harm, no foul.

Each individual does some small but essential part to maintain the 'machine' of World Family, which guarantees food, clothing, home, healthcare, entertainment, education, intellectual stimulation and social interaction for all... and in return the individual agrees to maintain certain positive behaviors. But make no mistake-- this is not the thought police.

World Family is a society which has had nearly every cause of fear, stress and anguish removed from it. That creates a nurturing environment that can be used to foster widespread and benevolent ties between all citizens. Even though a person may still swear if they hammer their finger and yell at the person next to them-- it's just an autonomic response. We have learned that at the height of injury people say unexpected and unintended things in an effort to relieve their initial suffering, and as a result hold no ill will towards them. Examples like that show that this society has been well educated in the concept of social interaction and are prepared to handle many behaviors today's Americans would find intolerable and possible cause for escalation.

How can we train people to be mature and responsible? The secret is doublefold-- transparency and education. Empathy is a vital skill and must be taught from a young age; it is so important that it be a prevalent part of every teaching method. Everyone must be extensively trained in how other people think, feel and react, in the same way everyone is currently taught arithmetic.

At this point in America, teaching empathy may be attempted (in some halfhearted fashion) in a few systemic entities-- by parents towards their children (Be nice! Share!); by teachers to their students (Wait your turn! Help someone learn!); by the DMV to its members (Drive defensively! Yield to pedestrians!). When faced with the reality of cutthroat competitive behaviors however, empathy proves to be an ineffective tool and ends up being shoved to the side or in the worst case, crushed. Destroying empathy ruins kindness, and kindness is at the forefront of Perfect World behavior.

Using empathic skills brings about transparency, otherwise known as honesty. In a society built around human behavior instead of crime and punishment, Perfect Worlders both accept and understand each other's conduct, leading to openness and understanding.

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Bill of Rights

Much rhetoric is bandied about professing the freedoms listed in the Bill of Rights. While these are not all of the rights guaranteed the American people, they are the ones most under attack. But only some of them-- some rights are well accepted and are relatively undisputed. A couple rarely apply to daily life and are also not at issue.

First Amendment

Establishment clause- Preventing a national religion – under attack

Free exercise clause- Allowing practice of religious beliefs – under attack

Freedom of speech- – under attack

Freedom of the press- – under attack

Freedom of assembly- – under attack

The right to petition- The people may air their grievances to the government, who then must address them. – under attack

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.

Second Amendment

US militia- – under attack

Sovereign state

Right to keep and bear arms – under attack

A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.

Third Amendment – rarely applies to daily life

Protection from quartering of troops

No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.

Fourth Amendment – relatively undisputed

Protection from unreasonable search and seizure

The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized.

Fifth Amendment – relatively undisputed

Due process

Double jeopardy

Self-incrimination

Eminent domain

No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Sixth Amendment – relatively undisputed

Trial by jury and rights of the accused

Confrontation Clause

Speedy trial

Public trial

Right to counsel

In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the Assistance of Counsel for his defense.

Seventh Amendment – relatively undisputed

Civil trial by jury

In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise re-examined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

Eighth Amendment – relatively undisputed

Prohibition of excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.

Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.

Ninth Amendment – rarely applies to daily life

Protection of rights not specifically enumerated in the Constitution.

The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.

Tenth Amendment – rarely applies to daily life

Powers of States and people

The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.