The Repugs are constantly harping on freedom as if they own the concept. They define it as individual choice and merit within a free market totally unfettered by evil government. But freedom means so much more that this limited, selfish definition. This article quotes FDR who said:
"The basic things expected by our people of their political and economic systems are simple. They are: equality of opportunity for youth and for others. Jobs for those who can work. Security for those who need it. The ending of special privilege for the few. The preservation of civil liberties for all. The enjoyment of the fruits of scientific progress in a wider and constantly rising standard of living. [W]e look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression. The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his own way. The third is freedom from want. The fourth is freedom from fear, which, translated into world terms, means a world-wide reduction of armaments."
The article expands on this with these freedoms:
"Clean air and water that don’t poison us over time; That no one can end up in poverty or on the streets because their job doesn’t pay enough to afford housing, food, or transportation; That you can see a doctor and get the care you need anytime, in any situation and regardless of your income, status, or identity; And that moms and dads don’t have to wonder and worry whether their African American sons will make it home alive each night."
Freedoms are granted by we the people for we the people organized into governments, where we look out for each other and prevent harming each other. The selfish motive of the Repugs' definition is basically I'm going to get mine and step on you to get there, because if you're aren't as 'survival of the fittest' as I am then you deserve to lose and even die. That's not humane individual freedom at all; it's animalistic jungle power bullshit. So let's take back the true definition and let freedom ring!
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