"Its a free country."

[CyrixMII333]

Or is it? To do as you want and pleases? lol. very misleading.
No such thing as free, everything cost money including: land, water, foods, etc. The road of example isn't exactly free either and it was build using your tax money, nuff said.

 

[mastertech01]

The price of freedom is high...but the price of pacifism is much greater. One of many of your freedoms is to walk away from it if you dont like it. If everything was "free" you would have communism, of which "personal freedom is not included" is the package slogan. No place is perfect, you will have to wait till you die to witness that.

 

[Gweedo552]

I think the US and Canada are two of the Free-est countries around...
Free, with safety...

Free to think
Free to express oneself
Free to practice whatever religion you wish
Free to be happy

 

[TripleJ]

Money is just basically an easy form of exchanging goods and services. Of course those things cost money, because you need to exchange something in return for your good or service, and money is the easiest form of this.

Lots of countries are "free" and happy. Most of Europe, most of America(Continent), many parts of Asia, and Australia.

I think it's a good little system we've got here.

 

[Nitemare]

<< Or is it? To do as you want and pleases? lol. very misleading.
No such thing as free, everything cost money including: land, water, foods, etc. The road of example isn't exactly free either and it was build using your tax money, nuff said. >>



They type of society you speak of could never exist. If everything was free, nobody would strive for anythink...free enterprise would be non-existent. If all material goods were free, we would become slaves to the government and to that extent our ultimate freedom to do what we wish would be lost.

We have the freedom to worship any god that we want or to not worship at all.
We have the right to elect our own leaders and representatives.
We have the right to own land and businesses.
We have the right to speak our mind(to a certain point)
We have the rights to bear arms to a certain point..

We have certain certain unalienable rights of being citizens of the US, few if any other countries have this.

 

[Gweedo552]

Forgot to mention those other countries... How about this:
Many democracies in the world are free

 

[TripleJ]

<<We have certain certain unalienable rights of being citizens of the US, few if any other countries have this.>>


lol, what makes you say that few, if any other countries are free? Many countries are free.

 

[Stumps]

<< Money is just basically an easy form of exchanging goods and services. Of course those things cost money, because you need to exchange something in return for your good or service, and money is the easiest form of this.

Lots of countries are "free" and happy. Most of Europe, most of America(Continent), many parts of Asia, and Australia.

I think it's a good little system we've got here. >>



Australia's not free, we can't own firearms,we are forced to vote, and our driving laws stink and using good'ole weed in New South Wales is a big no no (min 1 yr jail for any qty of marijuna).

 

[mesonw]

You have the right to bear firearms.
And what do you do with that right?
Shoot people. Removes any rights the victim had doesn't it?
Defend yourself. By threatening to shoot people (see above).
Participate in sport. Fair enough, but this option is the least common of these.

You have a right to own land and businesses.
Yeah, because tax is paid on them.

You have the right to elect your own leaders and representatives.
And then you're forced to live by THEIR laws, and go to war because THEY want to. And if you don't vote - you STILL have to abide.

Freedom to think.
Everyone in the known universe if free to think. It's what you DO based on what you think that's limited.

Freedom to express oneself.
So long as its within the bounds of national laws, local laws and by-laws.

Free to be happy.
Happiness is a state of mind brought on by surrounding influences. Its not a right, it's a privilege.


Face it - freedom is an illusion. Just one we're all fairly happy to live with.

 

[Czar]

<< I think the US and Canada are two of the Free-est countries around...
Free, with safety...

Free to think
Free to express oneself
Free to practice whatever religion you wish
Free to be happy >>



Along with nearly every single country in europe

 

[mesonw]

You must understand that people living in the states and canada are very often cut off from the rest of the world. Why else would there be a world series in sport, with how many other countries taking part?

 

[rudder]

The road of example isn't exactly free either and it was build using your tax money, nuff said.

Thats because we don't have slaves in this country. Someone builds these roads. They get paid for thier work. The government pays them and taxes us for reimbursement. That does not make us any less free.

 

[Gweedo552]

<< You have the right to bear firearms.
And what do you do with that right?
Shoot people. Removes any rights the victim had doesn't it?
Defend yourself. By threatening to shoot people (see above).
>>



Right to bear arms is the right to defend yourself against another attacking you. You shoot someone, you deserve prison



<<
You have a right to own land and businesses.
Yeah, because tax is paid on them.
>>


That tax money goes to ensure yours and everyone elses' freedom (Military, Police, Fire Protection, Education, etc )..


<<
You have the right to elect your own leaders and representatives.
And then you're forced to live by THEIR laws, and go to war because THEY want to. And if you don't vote - you STILL have to abide.
>>


The ones you vote for are supposed to be the ones that you want representing your views and thoughts



<<
Freedom to express oneself.
So long as its within the bounds of national laws, local laws and by-laws.
>>


As far as speech, you have the first ammendment...


<<
Free to be happy.
Happiness is a state of mind brought on by surrounding influences. Its not a right, it's a privilege.
>>


If you had a government that limited the amount of kids you could have (China), wouldn't allow you to practice *your* religion of choice (Many countries), etc. You wouldn't be happy...


<<
Face it - freedom is an illusion. Just one we're all fairly happy to live with. >>


We in most countries are given the freedom to do everything you want as long as you're using common sense.

 

[Jzero]

"FREE" does not refer to the cost-of-living. If that's what you're referring to, then the Soviet Union was a "Free" country because socialism/communism essentially eliminated the cost of living. Of course, it also eliminated the point of living, and there was virtually NO freedom for Soviets in those days.

 

[Stumps]

You have the right to elect your own leaders and representatives.
And then you're forced to live by THEIR laws, and go to war because THEY want to. And if you don't vote - you STILL have to abide.

Freedom to express oneself.
So long as its within the bounds of national laws, local laws and by-laws.

Hey if we don't vote it's a $500 fine plus $100 every week after that until we pay the original fine.
Sure we have the right to vote, but have you seen the greedy little buttmonkeys we have to vote for.
I hate Osama Bin Laden and everything he stands for but I would gladly like to see him fly a plan in to our paliarment house any day of the week.
and as for freedom of speech... $270 fine for calling a Policeman a D*ckhead after he tried to defect my perfectly legal car for having oil on the bottom of the sump and a faulty cigerette lighter, yeah thats real freedom of speech




:|

 

[Nitemare]

<< <<We have certain certain unalienable rights of being citizens of the US, few if any other countries have this.>>


lol, what makes you say that few, if any other countries are free? Many countries are free. >>



but few are free in everyway...in some of the "free" countries the government still owns the railroads, airlines, hospitals(or healthcare..Canada), and other freedoms aren't a given..

I'm not saying the US is free in everyway but it is one of the most free countries out there(After all it was founded in the name of freedom...)




<< <<Face it - freedom is an illusion. Just one we're all fairly happy to live with. >> >>



I would choose our freedom over the anarchy of a totally free society where everyone is free to go about they please taking the freedom of others if they desire...Anyone ever hear of the expression "man is inherently evil" without laws and control there would be anarchy and bedlam.

 

[mesonw]

<< Right to bear arms is the right to defend yourself against another attacking you. You shoot someone, you deserve prison >>


Agreed.


<< That tax money goes to ensure yours and everyone elses' freedom (Military, Police, Fire Protection, Education, etc ).. >>


It does, but it's not a freedom thing - its a control thing. You don't choose what level of services you need, or how much you pay. A necessary evil I suppose.


<< The ones you vote for are supposed to be the ones that you want representing your views and thoughts >>


Only the options are limited, with a single candidate unlikely to have everything you want; and the people vying for you vote will often stretch the truth to get you behind them.


<< If you had a government that limited the amount of kids you could have (China), >>


If you had a country whose population explosion was going to starve you of food, I think limited kids is acceptable.


<< wouldn't allow you to practice *your* religion of choice (Many countries), etc. You wouldn't be happy... >>


Can't relate to it. Sorry. I think religion's a farce, but there you go.


<< We in most countries are given the freedom to do everything you want as long as you're using common sense. >>


Agreed.

 

[Nitemare]

<< You have the right to elect your own leaders and representatives.
And then you're forced to live by THEIR laws, and go to war because THEY want to. And if you don't vote - you STILL have to abide.

Freedom to express oneself.
So long as its within the bounds of national laws, local laws and by-laws.

Hey if we don't vote it's a $500 fine plus $100 every week after that until we pay the original fine.
Sure we have the right to vote, but have you seen the greedy little buttmonkeys we have to vote for.
I hate Osama Bin Laden and everything he stands for but I would gladly like to see him fly a plan in to our paliarment house any day of the week.
and as for freedom of speech... $270 fine for calling a Policeman a D*ckhead after he tried to defect my perfectly legal car for having oil on the bottom of the sump and a faulty cigerette lighter, yeah thats real freedom of speech




:| >>



Wow, I had no idea Australia was that bad...being fined for not voting and 100 dollars a week for every week you don't pay it. I sure hope you can do write ins or vote for none of the above(Brewster's Millions was so funny)

Not being able to insult police officers and being fined if you do? Here they either pull a Rodney King on you, or throw the book on you as well. However, you can lodge formal complaints and you do have a chance to represent yourself or hire someone to represent you. Where the police has acted inappropiately there is a check and balance system whereas in other countries, they are the absolute law..

 

[Stumps]

Hey writing to complain about pollies here incures the wraith of a tax audit and as for coppers, how about a beating in the cells of the local police station with towel covered batons for complaining about the $270 fine the next day, police were then taken to court only to be let off on "little physical evidence" 5 coppers against 1 "WHITE" revhead with 3 broken ribs and a sh*t load of bruising to the chest" those injuries could have been caused by other incidents Mr Nielsen, I sorry but you have no case".
This is why Australia doesn't have the right to bare arms if it did a lot things would change in our political and justice system.:|

 

[Amused]

<<

<< I think the US and Canada are two of the Free-est countries around...
Free, with safety...

Free to think
Free to express oneself
Free to practice whatever religion you wish
Free to be happy >>



Along with nearly every single country in europe >>



Really? How many countries in Europe can I fly a Nazi flag in front of my house? (Not that I'd do any such thing, but you are only as free as the most repugnant expression you're allowed to express)

How many countries in Europe can I start my own broadcast news network?

 

[Helznicht]

"Can't relate to it. Sorry. I think religion's a farce, but there you go."

Atheist is a religion in a way. Its a non belief in all other religions. If you lived in Afganistan, you could go to jail or be killed for being an Atheist.

Now can you relate?

 

[Stumps]

<< "Can't relate to it. Sorry. I think religion's a farce, but there you go."

Atheist is a religion in a way. Its a non belief in all other religions. If you lived in Afganistan, you could go to jail or be killed for being an Atheist.

Now can you relate? >>



hey I'm an Atheist, swear to god(Hawkeye peirce-MASH)
I agree religion is a farce

 

[mesonw]

Yeah, but if I'd lived in Afghanistan all my life, I'd likely have a different outlook on things. I haven't. So I don't. Anyway, if it meant my life - I'd fake it.

 

[yellowperil]

In communal societies, freedom is viewed very differently. They see their freedom in groups, in sharing common beliefs. Someone in a communal society isn't necessarily thinking how miserable s/he is because of the individual rights s/he has or doesn't have. The idea that all people in communal societies are miserable is something played up in the media. It's a very different paradigm for seeing the world than someone in an individualistic society like the U.S. I don't think it's useful to judge standards of happiness of one society based on the standards of another, because they are not the same.

 

[TripleJ]

<<Hey if we don't vote it's a $500 fine plus $100 every week after that until we pay the original fine.>>


You are off your nut tonight Stumps. Last I heard the fine was about AU$25(US$13).
You have an obvious chip on your shoulder about something. Get some perspective.


Wise words Yellowperil.