FREEDOM RUN AMOK

America’s Achilles Heel: Freedom Run Amok

America, conceived and implemented to escape the tyranny of authoritarianism and dictatorship, was a revolutionary experiment. Yet, from the very beginning, its emphasis on freedom planted the seeds of its Achilles heel. America’s unique interpretation of freedom has, over time, turned its citizens into anarchists in spirit, where everyone feels entitled to do whatever they want, irrespective of society's needs or government constraints.

This extreme interpretation of freedom has permeated the American psyche and underlies the country's many societal ills. Freedom, unbounded by responsibility or societal obligations, has gone awry. It ignores the fundamental reality that a functioning society demands governance, rules, and regulations—a system of law that protects the rights of all people and spreads the risks of illness, poverty, and other adversities across all members of society.

A Fundamental Flaw in America’s Foundation

The concept of collective responsibility and shared societal burdens was never deeply instilled in the United States. Instead, the focus remained on individualism and self-reliance, often to the detriment of communal well-being. This oversight has been exploited by unscrupulous, greedy, and amoral individuals who cleverly manipulate the masses. These individuals consolidate power and wealth, while the majority still cling to the illusion of freedom.

The Illusion of Freedom

Through constant repetition of the mantra of freedom, authoritarian leaders and oligarchs have deceived the masses. In reality, true freedom no longer exists for most Americans. The masses are trapped in near poverty, facing systemic barriers that prevent upward mobility and meaningful participation in governance.

This false freedom serves as a smokescreen for the concentration of power in the hands of a few. The oligarchs and their political allies exploit the very concept of freedom to dismantle social safety nets, erode protections for the vulnerable, and stoke divisions that keep the populace disorganized and disempowered.

The Need for a New Vision

To escape this cycle, America must redefine freedom to include shared responsibility and communal care. The nation needs:

1. A System of Equitable Governance: Laws and regulations that ensure fairness, protect the vulnerable, and curb the excesses of the powerful.
2. Collective Responsibility: A societal commitment to address shared challenges such as healthcare, poverty, and education.
3. Economic Justice: Policies that redistribute wealth more equitably and limit the influence of billionaires and oligarchs on governance.

America’s Achilles heel need not be its downfall. The path forward requires a collective effort to balance freedom with responsibility, individual rights with societal obligations, and innovation with regulation. Only by addressing these systemic flaws can America reclaim its promise as a land of opportunity and equality for all.

William James Spriggs