Do Americans prefer security over freedom? (Kennedy, compare, leader, government)

[texan2yankee]

CNN’s Jake Tapper just comes out and says it:

I think the American people, honestly, want security over freedom.
- Jake Tapper

Compare that to Benjamin Franklin:

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
- Benjamin Franklin

I agree with Franklin. I chose freedom. How about you?

[sheepdog_]

Originally Posted by texan2yankee

CNN’s Jake Tapper just comes out and says it:

I think the American people, honestly, want security over freedom.
- Jake Tapper

Compare that to Benjamin Franklin:

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
- Benjamin Franklin

I agree with Franklin. I chose freedom. How about you?

Agreed. People want to feel secure and to have the big old government wrap their arms around them...
It is here where we are most vulnerable.

[pnwmdk]

Originally Posted by texan2yankee

CNN’s Jake Tapper just comes out and says it:

I think the American people, honestly, want security over freedom.
- Jake Tapper

Compare that to Benjamin Franklin:

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
- Benjamin Franklin

I agree with Franklin. I chose freedom. How about you?

Sadly, he may be right.

But there is no security found in giving up freedom.

[CDusr]

Originally Posted by texan2yankee

CNN’s Jake Tapper just comes out and says it:

I think the American people, honestly, want security over freedom.
- Jake Tapper

Compare that to Benjamin Franklin:

Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both.
- Benjamin Franklin

I agree with Franklin. I chose freedom. How about you?

Probably depends on your definition of freedom. Apparently not everyone may have the same definition.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/32710327-post17.html

[iNviNciBL3]

Did something happen to my freedom?

[pnwmdk]

Originally Posted by iNviNciBL3

Did something happen to my freedom?

Yes, it's gone. You have almost none left.

[Memphis1979]

To play devils advocate.....

Would you prefer no police?

[sheepdog_]

Originally Posted by Memphis1979

To play devils advocate.....

Would you prefer no police?

The quote is not speaking of that issue, more largely the government itself

[Fiddlehead]

As I recall, President Kennedy, dealing with the nuke crazy Cold War folks on his side, said "I'd rather my kids be red than dead."

I think every society and time has grappled with this, and there is rarely a cut and dried answer. Franklin was a cagy customer, he probably had some confidence that we could prevail, based on how thinly spread the British were. Braveheart (William Wallace) is admired, but we know how that turned out. Likewise, many Native American tribal leaders undoubtedly felt exactly the same as Franklin, but it did not turn out so well. The Irish tried to fight the British for centuries, but they did not get their freedom until Britain became embroiled in WWI, and decided that they did not want any more drama on the western flank.

For modern Americans, they make all sorts of decisions for all sorts of reasons. Some decisions give up power to government, some give it up to corporations, some give it up to religion, and some give it up to create opportunities for their loved ones (e.g., staying in a secure job one hates, but which pays the mortgage), or to honor one's commitments (giving up philandering to be a loyal spouse).

This is a fun topic to kick around, but I don't there is a single answer to it.

[iNviNciBL3]

Originally Posted by pnwmdk

Yes, it's gone. You have almost none left.

When did this happen and who did this?