Patrick Powers wrote in message
news:9511688f.0310110524.6df52f9c@posting.google.com...
> "Deep Freud Moors" wrote in
message news:...
> > > > Does this make the inhabitants of Paris 'less rich' somehow?
> > >
> > > Yes. Less freedom.
> > >
> >
> > What freedoms do Americans have that Europeans don't?
> >
> > (I have asked this question a number of times in usenet land, and never
> > gotten much of an answer)
> > ---
> > DFM
>
> I can tell you that Europeans have considerably more freedom of
> political choice than Americans. The number of political parties is
> higher in every European country and the spectrum of political choice
> much broader. Americans complain loudly and constantly about their
> lack of choice but nothing much seems to be changing.
>
> No one asked, but I find intellectual life in Bali and Nepal more free
> than either Europe or the US. Surprising, isn't it?
I think we can conclude from the responses here (and elsewhere) that it very
much depends on your definition of 'freedom'. And just because you are
assured that you are the free-est, doesn't necessarily mean you actually
are. Freedom is not a universally good thing anyway, with some restrictions
being necessary for a healthy society. Just go visit a country that is in
complete anarchy, and you will see what I mean. The folks in Iraq may be
free now (by some definitions), but their incomes are half what they used to
be, and they have bugger all security. Try telling them they are much better
off!
Basically freedom is just one of a number of ingredients needed to make
society function properly. It's existence does not make one instantly better
off. This concept seems to be beyond the grasp of many people...
---
DFM
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