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In the United States, political, religious, and corporate institutions have a considerable amount of power over the individual. Although we are given a number of rights stated in the Amendments, we are still under the control of these institutions. Our government puts restrictions on our freedoms, and structures society. There are a number of laws by which we must live and obey, or suffer consequences. Religion also governs our liveswe may live according to values set by our religion, or we may be affected by religious people and ideas. Also, corporations, to a certain degree, control the economy, and have potential to seriously affect individuals and society. We depend on corporations to obtain our necessities and a workplace.

An individual can make a difference in our society. There are numerous historical figures that have been great leaders and have made significant changes, such as Martin Luther King, Jr., a prominent Black Civil Rights leader. King, who advocated civil disobedience, led peaceful protests to instigate change in the government and to establish equal rights for African Americans. He also culminated the beginnings of the Civil Rights Movement, in which a number of other Civil Rights activists led protests against the government and fought to establish Civil Rights Acts. His practice of civil disobedience encouraged other activists to engage in the practice as well. King, ultimately with his own efforts, made very significant differences in our society through his fight for equal rights for African Americans, proving that individuals can indeed make a difference in our society.

I think that it is necessary for us to sacrifice a few of our rights in order to be ensured safety and a variety of viewpoints. Government, in establishing laws and restrictions on our freedom, does so to maintain order in the society as well as to protect us from potential harms. In terms of religion, people who choose to be religious do so at their own discretion, and freely allow their values and ideals to be formed by their religion. And as for corporations, they also help to keep things under order, and offer many benefits to our society. Without corporations, life would be very primitive and few to no technological/scientific advancements would be made, slowing the growth of the nation. It is also said that power leads to corruption, and I think that the power we possess now is enough.

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