talkpolitics | Freedom above all?

blue-mangos.livejournal.com posting in

There has been a lot of talk about freedom around here lately and that, combined with some comments in one of my many posts about Canada has got me thinking. Just how far are we willing to go for freedom? Or conversely, what is important enough to give up freedom for?

First, a little Canadian history lesson (it’s interesting, I swear, not a moose to be found in the story). In October of 1970 a domestic terrorist group called the Front de Libération du Québec, (the FLQ) kidnapped a British trade commissioner, hoping to trade his life in exchange for the release of imprisoned members of their group. 5 days later they also kidnapped a member of Canadian Parliament. His body was found in the trunk of a car a week later. James Cross, the British diplomat, was rescued in December when police found the cell holding him and negotiated his release.

In response to this crisis, then Prime Minister, Pierre Trudeau invoked the War Measures Act, which gave the government and police wide powers including the right to arrest without cause, to undertake censorship and wiretapping and limited the movements of the public. It was, in effect, martial law. It was a temporary measure, remaining in effect until April 1971. The Canadian public widely supported this move at the time, although there was outcry from civil libertarians. After the crisis, certain concerns were raised about the Act and other actions undertaken by the RCMP and it was eventually replaced with The Emergencies Act, limiting its scope.

The principles involved in the War Measures Act are not that different from The US Patriot Act, which is still in effect after 9/11. I remember that too when put into place received a lot of support from the general public as it was felt necessary to defend the safety of America. Whether it is still necessary or if it will ever be revoked is debatable.

So we now have at least one issue we are willing to give up certain freedoms for,at least temporarily, safety of our country. We also give up freedoms for the general safety of the public. Speed limits, gun control and police surveillance cameras are all examples of this. Following the law in general means we give up freedom. We (some of us) willingly give up certain freedoms in order to assimilate into a civil society, when we refrain from smoking around children, talking loudly in enclosed spaces, frequently playing loud music and the like.

Healthcare is a key issue where freedom has been brought into play. If we don’t have a choice in our healthcare system is that a loss of freedom? Speaking as someone from a country with universal healthcare, I do not care whether my choice has been taken away, or even if I pay higher taxes if it means that medical treatment is available to all that need it, without financial hardship as a result. So yes, I am willing to give up my personal freedom in the matter for the greater good.

I’m not going to pretend to fully understand the importance of freedom to Americans, although I would imagine it has much to do with the way your country gained independence. As was told to me by one of the Americans members here “Freedom lets us make of our world what we want. Freedom is the essential ingredient with which you make self fulfilled human beings.” Or as written by Richard Jackson but attributed to Benjamin Franklin:

Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety.

Do we agree with these quotes? Do they have a place in today’s society? Does freedom rule above all or are there other concepts more important?