What is freedom and what does it mean to you - Essay Example

American Legion Boys Freedom Freedom is a concept, its definition vague and arguable but the significance of this idea is paramount in the human experience. Many millions of people have willingly given their lives in pursuit of this vague concept over the course of human history. Defining the numerous nuances of freedom is a personal matter, subject to individual contemplations. Surely, no two people define freedom in precisely the same way. Everyone can agree, however, that freedom is not a ‘right’ given by God or the government.

The people created the government and define what personal freedoms society will allow. If the government oversteps its bounds, as outlined in the Constitution, the people can and loyal patriots would dismantle the government then build another that adhered to the peoples will. Freedom is a concept that requires a continual effort to preserve whether fighting on the battlefield, speaking at city council meetings or by simply voting. The meaning of freedom is broad but my personal viewpoint narrow and defined.

Simply put, an American has unrestricted personal freedoms. Of course the ‘your rights stop at my nose’ cliché applies as does the ‘no harm no foul’ rule. My conception of freedom was drawn from those who offered their definition in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. The government, by law, should be allowed only to enact legislation that follows the ‘no harm’ rule. Those who cause harm to others should be justly punished but those who are excising personal freedom, their constitutionally guaranteed right, should be allowed to pursue happiness in whatever manner they choose.

Overwhelmingly, lawmakers and the public have approved the substitution of money for freedom as quickly as they have sacrificed liberty for security in the ‘war on terror.’ Subjects such as euthanasia and abortion are but two of the more high profile issues surrounding personal freedoms. Seatbelt and helmet laws, prostitution, bigamy, and gambling are other examples of ‘no harm’ laws. The justification for seatbelt/helmet laws is that fewer and less severe injuries are sustained as a result of the law which, when properly enforced, ultimately lowers the cost of health care for everyone.

Prostitution laws are ridiculous. What else can you give away but can’t legally sell? Gambling is illegal and immoral unless the state does it and calls it lottery. Other activities popularly trumpeted under the personal freedom umbrella such as smoking in public, carrying concealed firearms or driving while talking on the phone affect the safety of others and therefore are subject to governmental control. There is, of course, a line drawn within this opinion regarding laws that include children.

Consensual adults, however, are free, as defined in the Constitution, to choose how to live their lives as they please if it does not interfere with the personal welfare or property of others. Denying personal freedom is often justified and accepted as necessary but in the greater scope of human endeavor the acceptance of these ‘no harm’ laws leads the public to accept other such laws which slowly but steadily lead to further reductions of free will decisions by free peoples. The country was founded by people who believed this concept and wrote the Constitution to forever protect personal freedoms.

Laws that impede personal freedoms are unconstitutional, defy the intentions of the Founding Fathers and therefore are un-American. To what extent personal freedom should be permitted is not the issue. Personal freedoms are an American birthright that is slowly but surely eroding over time. Whether or not the American people have the courage to protect and restore these freedoms is the real issue. The Founding Fathers displayed courage when they broke away from a tyrannical, oppressive King of England who ruled over the most powerful military at that time to establish a country where personal autonomy was considered the most precious commodity in a society.