Watching the constant insulting and discrediting happening on the news networks and online news boards (from BOTH parties!) I was reminded of a conversation I had a couple of weekends ago with a fellow soldier during a drill weekend. The topic was freedom. Our country always talks about freedom this, freedom that, and even my own mother will go on about how lucky and free we are. But really, what is this freedom that we have that is supposedly exclusive to the US? Further, what does that freedom even mean?
The ability to vote as our example, the aforementioned soldier and myself mused that if we are "free" to choose as long as it is within a set number of options, is it really freedom? Republican or Democrat. Of course there are additional third parties but lets be realistic, who supports them? What media network or even outlet makes credible mention of them? Our television programs, newspapers, internet sites, and even simple word of mouth discuss only one or the other, Republican or Democrat. Now of course these additional parties have their own prints but does the general public have reasonable exposure to these other choices? No. We are stuck choosing between the two parties which control (or more likely are controlled by) the media, likely trapping us indefinitely in a (failing, in my opinion) two-party system. So is our ability to vote really so free? I consider that a very subjective term.
An offshoot from that could be even something as overlooked as cars. In the modern world, public transportation is a must. Yet our culture has relied and been dependent on cars for so long that it seems that a real move to developing a reliable public transportation system on any scale seems unlikely any time soon. But what is it that continues the idea that cars are a necessary part of everyday life? Habit? Partially. But habits can be broken. Convenience? Again, partially, but if we had a reliable public transportation system already in place I can personally say it's a lot more convenient to step onto a train or bus than drive a car myself each day. So what also contributes to the continuation of habits? Media of course! Watch the television for an hour and try to go without seeing at least one or two commercials advertising cars. You'd think during a time when the prices of gas are getting out of control, people might consider moving away from their dependence on cars. Instead, the media advertises cars that have slightly better mileage than the one before! Again, where is the freedom to choose my mode of transportation? It's nonexistent.
I could honestly go on for ages but if I use too many examples, I'm sure people would lose interest. It seems that the only thing we really have true freedom over deciding is which fast food restaurant we want to subject ourselves to. So in short, this is how I perceive things. Media----> Culture-----> Control (lack of true freedom)
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