No Coercion

Doesn’t matter what you see
Or into it what you read
You can do it your own way
If it’s done just how I say

Independence limited
Freedom of choice is made for you my friend
Freedom of speech is words that they will bend
Freedom with their exception

I think these lyrics from Metallica’s “Eye of the Beholder” are appropriate for today, Independence Day. It’s a stark reminder that there are two distinct aspects to the commemoration of American independence. First, there’s the historical occurrence of national independence–when the American colonists declared their independence from the British crown and subsequently waged a successful revolution. Then there’s the celebration of the resulting individual independence (or freedom) for American citizens, and this is what most people now focus on.

Unfortunately, most people, lost in their patriotic fervor, don’t realize the freedom they celebrate is a figment of their imagination. It’s true that America can probably be considered more free, on a relative basis, than many other countries in the world (although every year there seems to be more places that come in above us on things like the State of World Liberty Project and the Index of Economic Freedom).

But I’m not sure it means much to say America is one of the freest countries in a world dominated by government oppression. From an objective point of view, it would be hard to describe this country as free. It’s hard to think of a single aspect of your life that the government (an entity based on the initiation of force to accomplish its goals) doesn’t touch in some way.

Personally, I think the government and its promoters love that we fire up the grill, crack open a cold one, and watch fireworks in giddy observance of our “freedom,” because, until very recently, it served to dampen the growing recognition by Americans that we are approaching a critical point at which the chains of government (chains we can believe in, Mr. President?) will lead to some form of modern revolution.

But in the last year or so, I’ve noticed a change. More and more people are refusing to fall for all the nationalistic (i.e. pro-government, anti-freedom) manipulation and are reacting to it by questioning the foundational principles (i.e. government is here to help, there are some things free markets just can’t handle, it’s okay to initiate force against others if it’s for a ‘good cause,’ etc.) they’ve been taught in government schools.

No doubt various pro-government elements have taken notice of this and are planning ways to counter it, but I have a feeling they won’t have much luck in halting the powerful human drive for freedom and the prosperity that flows from it.

Here’s to a new revolution.

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