Freedom: Are we really free?

Welcome back!

Are we really free? Think about that question for a couple of minutes...

If you answered yes then ask yourself the following questions:

1. Am I able to endanger someones life without consequence?
2. Am I able to endanger my own life?
3. If I don't agree with someone can I really deny them their own opinion?
4. Am I able to take whatever I want without asking?
5. Can I exist and function without any sort of identification?
6. Am I able to wear anything I want (or lack thereof) anywhere I go?
7. Am I able to engage in sexual activity anywhere I am and with anyone no matter what age, gender or race?
8. Can I really go against authority?
9. Is it okay to reveal an organization secrets whenever I choose?
10. Am I able to travel to any other land without permission?

If you still answer yes to those questions then either you have a perfect life in a very relaxed nation or your are fooling yourself. For most of us our "freedom" is dictated by those 10 limitations.

Now that is not to say that all nations follow those limitations exactly but most first world nations do have laws that limits what we as citizens think of as freedom. Here in Canada I can do whatever I want as long as I  a) work for money or comply with government programs and regulations, b) pay my bills giving me a place to live or again comply with government programs and regulations, c) don't threaten the safety of others, d) go along with public standards, etc. The list goes on.

In reality nobody lives in a free world. We have freedom as long as we comply with what the government has laid out. Your first agreement entering this world is not even your own choice. If you were born in a Canada you are automatically a Canadian and are expected to comply with Canadian laws. You don't have a choice in that matter, you have to do it or risk the consequences (which further limit your freedom).This concept doesn't just happen with birth but with old laws such as aboriginal rights. Now disclaimer the paragraph that follows is my opinion and I fully respect the rights and individuality of Canadian aboriginals.

Why should the younger generation continue to be burdened by the mistakes of our forefathers? Why are some citizens still getting a benefit even they were born at the same time as another non-aboriginal in the same area? Because our forefathers did not treat aboriginals respectively (and in my opinion they did not)? How does that apply to childern that know nothing of those times? Now sure those that were affected by the actions of our forefathers should indeed be benefied. However anyone born after the law was put in place should not be benefiting from such law.

Laws like the one I explained above sometimes makes me question the wisdom and freedom system of my government and some other familiar governments. I would like a say in what I can and cannot do not just because I born somewhere or an action happened in the past that I could not control or have influence over.

I realize that what I ask for is a perfect world and it will probably never happen. Still if you think about the concept of freedom enough you start to wonder if you really have any freedom at all.

For my next topic I want to talk about a recent issue that bugs me when I am walking near busy streets. I will discuss that in my next post Pedestrians and Traffic. Be sure to check back!

Bye for now,

Superskull85 - The Dark Skull