by Ronald Reddout

Created on: April 12, 2009

Freedom In America

The freedom that we as Americans have is a democratic freedom. The democracy afforded to us here in America allows us numerous privileges that are either very limited or are non-existent in a majority of countries throughout the rest of the world. So many times we Americans take for granted the freedoms we possess. We give little or no thought as to how very, very fortunate we are as individuals to be living in a country founded on the premise of individual freedom. We can speak as we choose, we can pursue our own individual religious beliefs, we can either vote or not vote as we choose, and, so far as work is concerned, we can go as far as our education, our determination, and our skills will take us.

We can speak as we choose - freedom of speech. Of course, we all know that this particular freedom can sometimes make a person either very popular or very unpopular, depending on what he or she is saying and to whom they are saying it. But stop and think about other countries throughout the world. In how many of those countries can you "speak your mind" and not end up either in jail or in prison because someone took offense at what was said and had the power or authority, not to mention the law, that allowed them to treat you as a criminal. Don't ever lose sight of the fact that freedom of speech is a very precious commodity. That freedom alone should make you proud to be an American.

We can pursue our own individual religious beliefs - freedom of worship. No one in this country is restricted to a particular religious belief. We all can worship in the manner and time of our choosing, depending on whichever religion we choose to practice. And we even have the right not to worship at all if that is our personal belief about religion as a whole. In America, we are not "forced at gunpoint" to espouse and practice a specific religion in order to keep on living. Here in America, we are not told that, if we do not follow a certain religion, then we will be put to death as unbelievers. Remember, freedom of worship is also a very precious commodity. And this freedom should also give you pride in being an American.

We can either vote or not vote as we choose - freedom to choose who will represent us at the local, state, or national level. No one here in America is forced to vote for a person, to represent them at any government level, if they feel that person will not have their best interests in mind. How would you like to be in a country where you could

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