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Economic security - ability to get a job.
Personal security - well functioning pension system, medical care system, police and firefighters.
Emotional security - that's why they enter long-term relationships and marriage
"The pursuit of happiness" has far more meaning than "freedom" you see in every flag-waving hicktown bumper-stickers, and from every right-wing radio host in the US.
That doesn't compute. We have given up more and more freedom and it is not being replaced by the "securities" that you have listed. People have let their freedoms erode because they have a misguided idea that "Uncle" will look out for their best interests. "Uncle" is looking out for those that put $$$ into his pocket and do him favors. Economic, personal and emotional securities are pretty much a wash these days anyway. "Freedom" as defined by our forefathers is dying and not in the name of "security".
Freedom for me means the government, whether is be local, state or federal, becoming far less involved, if involved at all, in my daily affairs. Liberty. I do not want to give up ANY liberties to the government in exchange for security. I want the government to be small and weak and perform the services outlined in the federal and state constitutions and let me live my law-abiding life in peace.
There is no isolation in a society. There the state is involved in countless beneficial ways in the daily life of everyone. A few of the near- and short-sighted may ignore or try to take credit for such things themselves, but there is simply no such thing as Marlboro Man -- the wild stallion roaming free across the unfenced prairie. All that proceeds from cartoonish self-delusion. Risk-sharing and redistribution of wealth are two of the central reasons why humans establish societies to begin with, and there are few places left on earth where owing to such unifying reasons, a society has not been formed.
More interesting to me in this thread is the distinction between the concepts of Liberty and Freedom, which are being used interchangeably in many responses so far. They aren't the same thing. The two words aren't even rooted in the same language. Liberty is a more concrete concept that pertains to institutional controls. Freedom is a more abstract concept that pertains, more generally, to daily life. You will find the two terms used separately in famous documents including the Gettysburg address. There have been erosions of Liberty in this country, but there have also been augmentations added. The extent to which these institutional tinkerings have affected our perception of our Freedom is subjective. The same changes to American Liberties that some people say have negatively impacted their Freedom have increased Freedom in the eyes of others.
Back to the OP's post, I don't think most people necessarily want Security more (than their own perception of) Freedom. I would agree, however, that many people do prize Security over Liberty. That's where the culture clash comes in with those who prize Liberty first over all.
Last edited by Slithytoves; 10-16-2013 at 09:10 AM..
Reason: Clarification
Freedom for me means the government, whether is be local, state or federal, becoming far less involved, if involved at all, in my daily affairs. Liberty. I do not want to give up ANY liberties to the government in exchange for security. I want the government to be small and weak and perform the services outlined in the federal and state constitutions and let me live my law-abiding life in peace.
Can you tell us what you mean exactly? How is government involved in your daily life? What liberties are being curtailed? What is it you would do differently in your daily life if it weren't for the government?
One need not look any farther than airport security post-9/11 to know that the general American public will swallow any old thing in the name of security over personal liberty.
Economic security - ability to get a job.
Personal security - well functioning pension system, medical care system, police and firefighters.
Emotional security - that's why they enter long-term relationships and marriage
"The pursuit of happiness" has far more meaning than "freedom" you see in every flag-waving hicktown bumper-stickers, and from every right-wing radio host in the US.
No, liberals try to sell "security" as "government will save you".
There is no such thing as "security". There is only learning to be self sufficient, which is not "security", it is competence, which is much more effective at providing for one's self.
Economic security - ability to get a job.
Personal security - well functioning pension system, medical care system, police and firefighters.
Emotional security - that's why they enter long-term relationships and marriage
"The pursuit of happiness" has far more meaning than "freedom" you see in every flag-waving hicktown bumper-stickers, and from every right-wing radio host in the US.
Govt does not give you security, that is something you provide for yourself, when given the freedom to do so. Getting out of the way, is the best thing gov't can do for us. Sure there are bumps along the way, that's how we grow, that's how we learn. To be free to make mistakes is how we become better people.
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