Originally posted by Curval
Yes Ravs, but clearly those items are real streches when it comes to determining who is more "free".
On the German autobaun you can, and should, drive far faster than would could ever drive in ANY state in the US. Given how much emphasis and value Americans put on their automobiles then Germany far surpasses the freedom afforded to Americans in this regard.
But..in every single US/European debate the subject of freedom always comes up. Silliness like "you are subjects, we are citizens" is written in an effort to prop up American freedomaniacs egos...yet when you break it down to basics we are all as free as each other.
It is really very silly indeed.
It is silly, but you asked a question and I was trying to answer it
Much of all of this depends on your definition of 'freedom'. If by 'freedom' one means the ability to do what one wants without government interference, then the freeest people are probably nomadic tribes living in the desert in North Africa or something similar.
If, like Lasz, your definition of freedom is 'having cheap goods to buy with minimal government interference', then Lasz needs to look a little more closely at how much other people's freedoms are being curtailed so he can have his. I refer, of course, to my hobby horse - the out of control corporate mentality where profits matter more than people.
For me, well, freedom is more of a state of mind than anything. In a culture which is obsessed by consumerism (and I count myself in that culture) we find ourselves unhappy if we don't posses more and more. People who are truly free can live with a bare minimum of 'stuff' and still find happiness.
Ravs
