What's a 'Free Country'?

A free country is what America use to be, and use to be proud of, but what Obama wants to scrap with more government control of.

Rob

You haven't said which country you live in Jan ?  -Maybe 'freedom' is relative - (read my poem in my intro) -Certainly things are more free in some Western countries, but many of us who 'put our ass on the line' as a buddy of mine said are wondering - what is really free. -Many things in the US, Canada and Britain are not really free any more - but go to Zimbabwe, North Korea, Ghana, Liberia, and see how free they are there - a friend of mine in Zambia cannot even talk publicly about his political preferences - -but you need a government license to hold an open air picnic with beer in Utah, or British Columbia. In Britain now you can wear a burkah anywhere- but not a Christian cross if in a public job. -is that true freedom ? ? - -

It's a huge and baffling spectrum - I'd like to read other opinions.

I have never known any country or any people to be free.  There is always responsibility and with that comes obligation.  You want commerce?  You have to deal with taxation.  You want what people had in the 1980's?  It'll cost you down the line.  I think blaming one person is irresponsible.  I think we all enjoyed the joy ride while tickets were being sold.  Now we have to pay the price.  The only true freedom, I believe, exists within us.  If you can let go of your fear and your expectations and all the crap you were taught should be important to you and simply live for and with what is in front of you, that is about as free as you will ever be.

A free country is one in which the liberty of the individual is only circumscribed by the necessity to keep civil strife to a minimum.  Complete freedom of action is not possible in a densely populated environment, rules are necessary to avoid civil strife as much as possible.  A truly free country also has rules to regulate the power of the governing body, so that change is possible with only a minimum of strife and animosity.  All inhabitants of the free country should have the opportunity for education, advancement, and freedom to worship, or not worship, at their own personal choice without interference.   I am saddened by the movement toward a more dictatorial society, and away from personal liberty in my own country, the U S A.  Perhaps the next few national elections will help us return to a more libertarian state.  I saw an interesting statement recently I'd like to pass along.  "If you ask 100 people for their definition of a free society, you'll get 98 different answers and two [HUHS?]"  I think it's probably pretty accurate!! 

A free country is one in which the liberty of the individual is only circumscribed by the necessity to keep civil strife to a minimum.  Complete freedom of action is not possible in a densely populated environment, rules are necessary to avoid civil strife as much as possible.  A truly free country also has rules to regulate the power of the governing body, so that change is possible with only a minimum of strife and animosity.  All inhabitants of the free country should have the opportunity for education, advancement, and freedom to worship, or not worship, at their own personal choice without interference.   I am saddened by the movement toward a more dictatorial society, and away from personal liberty in my own country, the U S A.  Perhaps the next few national elections will help us return to a more libertarian state.  I saw an interesting statement recently I'd like to pass along.  "If you ask 100 people for their definition of a free society, you'll get 98 different answers and two [HUHS?]"  I think it's probably pretty accurate!! 

In the United States of America....this is what freedom should be....

THE BILL OF RIGHTS
Amendments 1-10 of the Constitution

Amendment I
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.

Amendment II
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.

Amendment III
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.

Amendment IV
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.

Amendment V
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 offense 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.

Amendment VI
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.

Amendment VII
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 reexamined in any court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.

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

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

Amendment X
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.

....and I find it more and more with each passing year to be ....less and less of what.... 'We the People' ...once had.

Dave, you just said it all.

I think both Norm and Dave have good answers -I particularly like Norm's first two sentences. -But, like Norm, I am also  unhappy about the movements in US and Canada to 'muzzle' the people for want of a better expression, and in Canada and Britain to give ever more freedom to immigrants ways of life while curtailing ways of life in many long term citizens. In Canada, for instance, it has become literally impossible to criticise our national police, the RCMP. -They have literally (once again) got away with murder in the Dziekanski case, in spite of a huge nationle outcry of disapproval.  This and many other things tend to make me think we in north America are moving inexorably to 'Big Brother' governments !