Would You Rather Be Free?
 

I am going to start this thread and then head to Little Rock. So I won't be able to contribute for a few hours.

But I had a thought this morning. REAL freedom doesn't come with safety nets. REAL freedom is a freedom to succeed and a freedom to fail. The freedom brought by the founding fathers didn't have Social Security, Unemployment benefits, federal school & health oversight etc.

You were free. Governments purpose was one... to protect your rights. All of these things are nice... but they also, little by little, give us a dependence on government and eventually lead us to an invasive government that does more to take away our freedoms than maintain them.

So... If it meant losing all of the safety nets of today's society... Would you rather be free?

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Okay... I will be around long enough to contribute my vote. I would rather be free.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Well, what kind of freedom are you talking about? Total anarchy, no rules at all?

Even at the start of this nation, we had government programs and were not totally free. The only way to be totally free would be to have no government. Even then, you would only be as free as your strongest neighbor let you be, ie did not attack you.

You should change the poll add an anarchy option, lol.

That is not even considering the fact that black people definitely are more free now than they have been in the past, even with more government.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

This is a very black and white, either/or question. I would like to go backwards in time where there was more freedom. I think some government programs can be good. But what I see today is that we have lost sight of what is important.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

I've never used any of the government public assistance programs. I can't imagine living WITH the government programs in my personal life. Social security will probably never benefit me. National health care won't help me. I don't qualify for other means of assistance. I'm facing a layoff, but wouldn't get enough unemployment to live on. If I'd been allowed to save some of the money I've paid in taxes to supplement these programs, I wouldn't need the programs. At the same time, I'd have the money to help those in my community who desperately need the assistance and can't get it. I also know who is misusing the system, and which of those misusing it are being supported on my tax dollars or government loans.

History and our lives would be much different if it weren't for the government subsidies. I'm not sure it would be better. But I'd like to try it and see.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

I'd be happy with the freedom of the 80's.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

LOL! I always think 70's but I know what you mean.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Bingo!

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Like this!! LOL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dv8Uty5js

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Since I have no faith in any of the government "safety nets" such as social security being in place when I am of the age to receive them (I am 29), I would rather be free. I realize at my age, that I and my family are responsible for ourselves, and fortunately have the time to plan. I personally thing large families are a good thing, because if a parent is ailing at some point, and they usually are, then the burden, financially or otherwise, can be spread around among the children.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Yep. ;)

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

No... I'm not speaking of anarchy. I am speaking of government in place but government that only accomplishes it's original goal. Protecting our rights.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

The question is meant to be black or white. That is what my original thought revolves around. Many like to talk freedom but the true freedom offered by the founders of this nation (allowing only for further revelations of greater freedom such as the end of slavery, a womans right to vote etc) but they would cringe at giving up the continual onslaught of social programs that got us here.

Would we rather be free?

Or would we give up freedom to keep the goodies?

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

I agree with the sentiments that government has become too intrusive.

The only problem with going back to the days of the colonies is that without amendments, too many legitimate Americans would be marginalized, persecuted, killed, etc.


We view the days of Washington and Jefferson with a sense of nostalgia, but never thinking of the brutality it took to make America happen-- the brutality it took to keep America growing.


I am reminded of reading in HS history about some of the early settlers who would use the babies of Native Americans for target practice-- of course in front of the powerless parents.

That was the past! My point is that I am glad that we are not in the past and that we don't need to return to "the good ol' days, that when you think about it, they really weren't all that good.





America is 234 years young. Truly God has been gracious to America. Truly God has had His Hand on America and I believe He continues to.

GOD has ordained our government, for such a time as this.

There is no need to go back. We need to contend for our freedoms today.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Wow.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

WHOA!

I need to fix something....

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Hoovie.

Thanks for pointing that out-- I NEVER MEANT IT LIKE IT ORIGINALLY READ!

Thank you very much.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Any recovery of freedoms would be, in some sense, going back. I have already stated that what I am talking about would include the further evolution of human thought. We have grown as a race (the human race) and have made amendments and changes that reflect that growth. These types of changes are completely, totally and irrevocably within the realm of the intended realm of the central government.

So these are not the things I am talking about. I feel that I have made that clear. Perhaps this posts will offer more clarity.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Would you like to provide a source on this information.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

'cause that's when we were kids...back in the 80s! Not a day goes by that I don't think about 'em...

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

If ever the terms "government" and "expansion" ever fall into the same phrase or conversation, BEWARE and pray...

The more the government spends, the less freedom we eventually have in some form or fashion.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

I wish I had the money just to be self supporting and quit begging the Americans for missionary offerings...ha....

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Absolutely.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

We'd have to go back to early December 1913 for me.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Would the lone "No. I like freedom but I can't see living in a society without all of the government programs." voter like to share some thoughts as to why they feel that way?

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

When we depend on the government for everything be assured the government will become our master....

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

It was a Houghton Mifflin textbook from my History class. That's all I remember about it. HS was a long time ago for me.

Re: Would You Rather Be Free?
 

Amen. This reminds me of the following quote...