I think a lot of folks in the US don't realize that even some (some!) countries we think of as authoritarian
feel freer, day to day, than the US does, let alone other liberal democracies.
We have elections... but having some wine at your picnic in the park may get you a citation.
We have elections... but, this article.
We have elections... but civil forfeiture.
We have elections... but you'll spend tons of your "free" time fighting with our healthcare system, should you ever actually need to use it. Ditto the time and contortions required to navigate our benefits systems if you ever hit our "social safety net". In either case, you're not gonna be feeling all that "freedom".
We have elections... but an LOLWTF-high incarceration rate.
We have elections... but are constantly scared shitless of civil litigation and liability and there are rules and disclaimers posted on every flat surface.
We have elections... but no mandatory annual leave, with the result that for most people 2 weeks off a year is considered decent. How many people feel "free" at their job?
But at least we have the 2nd, to protect our freedom. Seems to be working great. (I actually also think folks here overestimate how hard it is to get guns in some countries with effective gun control—it doesn't have to mean "no guns", and often doesn't)
We have elections... but having some wine at your picnic in the park may get you a citation.
We have elections... but, this article.
We have elections... but civil forfeiture.
We have elections... but you'll spend tons of your "free" time fighting with our healthcare system, should you ever actually need to use it. Ditto the time and contortions required to navigate our benefits systems if you ever hit our "social safety net". In either case, you're not gonna be feeling all that "freedom".
We have elections... but an LOLWTF-high incarceration rate.
We have elections... but are constantly scared shitless of civil litigation and liability and there are rules and disclaimers posted on every flat surface.
We have elections... but no mandatory annual leave, with the result that for most people 2 weeks off a year is considered decent. How many people feel "free" at their job?
But at least we have the 2nd, to protect our freedom. Seems to be working great. (I actually also think folks here overestimate how hard it is to get guns in some countries with effective gun control—it doesn't have to mean "no guns", and often doesn't)