Blog Post #50: Freedom

One of the dictionaries' definitions of freedom is the power to act on the right to speak without hindrance or restraint. 

What is your definition? What is the meaning of that word to you? 

One of the purposes of the government of the United States is to ensure that people in this country have the freedom to act, speak, or think as they want. The government also makes laws and sees that they are enforced. Although we have freedom, there have always been limits. 

It means we do not have the freedom to terrorize or endanger others. We have laws against drunk driving, laws that require drivers and their passengers to wear seatbelts, and in some states, laws that require motorcycle riders to wear a helmet. 

The right to act and speak freely should end when it endangers other rights. This has been demonstrated to us clearly in the past year. In fact, over the past few years. This country is in crisis. Interestingly enough, it is a crisis over how we define freedom and what limits should be imposed by the government on our freedom. 

Do Americans have the right to decide if they wear a mask in public places during a pandemic and practice other public safety precautions that prevent others from being infected?

Interestingly, a number of Americans feel that the government relates to the health of other people and that restrictions should be placed on our behavior. If we recognize a public health danger to ourselves and others, we should act to eliminate it. Thus why smoking in public places has been widely banned. We do not have the freedom to endanger others - to do this willfully and with malice is known as terrorism. 

You have seen this demonstrated within the past few months. We need a government that ensures our freedom, but also the freedom of others. 

Ron Breazeale PhD, Clinical Psychologist