Politicians constantly talk about freedom. After all, freedom is the American ideal. But, sometimes it feels like the term freedom means different things to different people. This leads to my question, "What is freedom?"
As a language nerd I start with the dictionary. In the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary Eleventh Edition I found the following definition, "the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action". I also found the following, "FREEDOM has a broad range of application from total absence of restraint to merely a sense of not being unduly hampered or frustrated".
So freedom means we can make our own choices without undue restrictions. Now we get to the meat of the question, "When do restrictions become too extreme?" I think we can agree that some restrictions make sense. A murderer being restricted to prison in order to protect the public is a very prudent restriction. But what about other restrictions? Should we require individuals to purchase health insurance, or allow them to risk the natural consequences?
Some argue that we need to protect everyone, even from their own stupidity. Others believe that personal freedom should only be limited when the actions of one could harm another person. For example: Drinking alcohol is not illegal because the alcohol harms only the health of the individual making the choice. Driving after drinking alcohol is illegal because it endangers others.
I do not believe we should protect people from their own stupidity, but it still is not quite that simple. If an alcoholic is drinking constantly, that hurts his or her family emotionally and financially. Should drinking alcohol be illegal in order to protect the families of those who drink? Where is the line between reasonable and undue restrictions?
Here some scenarios to consider:
A gun enthusiast has a large collection of guns that she enjoys using for target shooting. She has always been responsible in the care of her weapons. She would like to purchase some assault rifles to expand her collection. Is it reasonable to restrict her ability to purchase these weapons because they are military-style weapons?
A woman with a history of anger problems wishes to purchase a handgun for self-defense. Is it reasonable to restrict her ability to purchase this weapon because she might use it in anger?
A gay couple wishes to be married. Is it reasonable to restrict their ability to be married because it offends others?
A man wishes to marry two women. Is it reasonable to restrict their ability to be married because it offends others?
A woman wishes to marry two men. Is it reasonable to restrict their ability to be married because it offends others?
A gay couple wishes to be married in a chapel belonging to a church that believes homosexuality is a sin. Is it reasonable to restrict their ability to be married in that location because it offends others? Is it reasonable to restrict the church's ability to choose how its property will be used because it will offend the couple?
A healthy young man wants to save money by not purchasing health insurance. He knows that it will bankrupt him if he gets seriously ill, but he is willing to take the risk. Is it reasonable to restrict his ability to decide what to purchase in order to protect him and his family?
