Thursday, September 30, 2010

Freedom update

Will W. nicely defends himself here and expands on the issue of inequality and freedom.

Plus, I have some further thoughts on freedom. There certainly are groups of people in the US who are less free than others. Gays and illegal immigrants come to mind. In the past, African-Americans and women had less freedom. I don't see any of those freedom issues as being related to income/wealth.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

In the past, African-Americans and women had less freedom. I don't see any of those freedom issues as being related to income/wealth.

What?

Anonymous said...

Saying illegal immigrants have less freedom is like saying people in jail have less freedom. Of course they do, they're criminals for cryin' out loud!

Anonymous said...

There are plenty of criminals who enjoy immense freedom, and the wealth to enjoy it fully. Many make their livings by employing those same immigrants.

Angus said...

I guess this will sound rather strange to you, but I don't consider undocumented immigrants as criminals, nor did I consider Gays as criminals when we had a lot of anti-sodomy laws on the books. I don't consider people who exceed the speed limit or smoke pot criminals either.

Anonymous said...

If those who break our laws are not criminals, then who fits your definition of a criminal?

Anonymous said...

@ Anon

Maybe people who do actual harm to others?

Anonymous said...

It really doesn't matter what you as an individual consider is criminal. USA doesn't stand for United States of Angus. We live in an organized society with laws passed by elected representatives. If you break those laws you are a criminal. If you don't agree with a law, there are mechanisms in place to change it.

Angus said...

Then we are all criminals and the word has little to no meaning.

Anonymous said...

@ Anon

Well its a good thing the government puts such effort into enforcing its laws, in order to avoid a situation where literally million of "criminals" work and live among us.

Oh wait...

Well at least we can rest easy knowing that you are doing your part. I presume you triple check the source of your food to be sure that no "criminals" were involved in its production. Likewise, I'm sure you make it a point to check the INS status of the workers of any business you frequent.