America has been self proclaimed as the land of the free. It has been close to 3 weeks since I landed here and have seen, observered a lot about american laws, people, law enforcement, and I am really begining to if if this is indeed the land of the free?
What is free or freedom really? Dictionary says that Freedom is “the power to act, speak, or think without externally imposed restraints”. Looking at the system and the social conditioning in place, are people really free or do people merely perceive life to be free here? Is it a fact or a myth solidified by the indoctrination within the society.
Life is easy here, no question about it. But is it free? So long as you follow the rules, things are ok. So long as you dont question them, its ok. You are allowed to question on your rights, but not the rules. The obedience to the law is almost complete and without question, regardless of how insane the laws are. People have accepted this as a part of their life. When you have been deprived of the maturity to question the laws, then how can you be free? For instance, at a stop sign (not traffic signal), you are expected to bring the vehicle to a complete stop, look and then proceed. This is a fine rule, made for the safety of the pedestrians and motorists alike. However, a lot times when in the car, I see situations where it is an overkill to bring the speed down to a complete zero and starting again. But this discretion to slow or completely stop has not been granted, despite the fact that the person who is abiding by it has complete knowledge of why the rule is in place. IMHO, so long as the intention of the formulation of the rule is being met, the associated action must not be treated as violation, because the rule was made to avoid an unsafe condition, and his actions, in no way are resulting is such a condition. When this choice of action has been taken away from us, are we really free? Arent our actions being dictated by people sitting in high offices and promulgating what they think is right? You can interpret the law, but cant argue against it. The intent is lost somewhere in the middle of all this. Obey the law, by definition, it is the right thing to do. So where is freedom?
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