Why is the U.S. considered free?
611689
To directly answer your question, the U.S. is considered free because most people inside and probably outside of the U.S. are under the impression that Americans have more freedom than anybody else.  This belief is probably not true.  As you point out, Europeans enjoy certain freedoms that Americans do not.  But as someone else pointed out, Americans enjoy other freedoms that Europeans do not.\n\nEvery government is going to impose certain rules, and doing so necessarily infringes some individual freedoms.  The only way to live totally free is to have no government at all, which of course will never happen, at least not in our lifetimes.  The best you can do is decide which freedoms you are willing to sacrifice, and choose a country to call home based on that.\n\nIncidentally, another misconception that most Americans have is that freedom is synonymous with democracy.  This is simply not true.  In a dictatorship, the decision to infringe upon your freedoms is made by one man.  In a democracy, this decision is made by popular vote.  In a republic such as we have, the decision is made by a body of elected officials.  But in all cases, the government does violate your freedoms.  Additionally, any argument that our government is bound by its constitution not to violate certain freedoms is easily refuted by the mere existence of the Patriot Act, hundreds of gun control laws, drug laws, and a plethora of other laws that are clearly unconstitutional.
936392
I say it should be Free every where..Canada does it for all their citizens so why shouldn't the good old USA be able 2 do it.Or any Country for that matter
393411
Because the US is too busy trying to tell people how to live thier life. The world will never be unified until they all have the freedom they deserve.
15610
As a matter of fact, America is less free than many other countries: Canada, Western Europe, Australia, etc..
607989
FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE----DOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!\n\nUnfortunately, that's practically non-existent in our country any more.
10321
it makes me proud to be an american where at least i know im free, freedom of speech, we are just free to do what we want for the most part. in most countries they have no freedom which is sad but we as the USA can say that
715306
It is not free.  That's one reason why TAXES are so much HIGHER in Canada than the US.\n\nMany other countries such as Sweden have universal health care, too.
852408
No, it was a good idea because it will eventually (though not intentionally) lead to the break up of the Union. This will mean that that the constitute countries will be free.
323769
The U.S. was one, a newly discovered continent.  It was a grand adventure.  Also, the newly formed government was a grand experiment.  Never before had a government been formed on the theory of democracy in such a large scale.  It afforded freedoms almost unheard of around the world.  Freedoms like, no matter what economic status you came from, you could make yourself better in America.   And, no matter what status you were born to, whether a prince or a pauper, you could succeed in America.  The struggles over racism weren't only over blacks, but included Irish, and Italians, and Asians.  Even with these racial struggles the opportunities afforded every individual were far better than most folks could find in their home countries.
294872
The American government doesn't help half as much as they'd have you think they do.\n\nSome transnational businesses are in the habit of helping others, but only if there's a profit to be had.\n\nHelp isn't free, it always comes with a price.
613575
It's free enough for us to do whatever we want to do. But there is always accountability for our own actions. If you want to do something about the wrongs in the world then do it that's what freedom is for.
1026067
No-One anywhere is truly free, we all have to work to earn money to pay taxes, even those of us that live in a democratic country are  not truly free because all major decisions are made by those in power, we may be able to vote who gets the control of our country but they will decide what happens to it.
467533
the fact that we have to be politically correct about everything.  Supposedly America is the land of free, but we are not allowed to voice opinions anymore with the fear of getting sued by some jackass
137297
NO ONE is really free. because the govt. alwayz gotta control what we do! in a way das good and bad at da same time!
724842
Though these days... many Americans complain that we are losing Freedoms, The USA is still the only Country in The World where you can state how you feel and think for yourself and not worry that you will be put away or executed for it.\n\nYou have a choice on how you can live your life, work where you want to work, live where you want to live etc.\n\n\nYou are here on Yahoo Answers and are free to ask this question. Not many other Countries will give you this opportunity. \n\nYou can search The World over and you will never find another Country that extends you Freedom like The United States Of America!
1163733
You are quite right. Denmark is indeed one of the best examples for true freedom, democracy and a positive community. Long may it last!\n\nMany Americans do indeed believe that they are the most free and liberal nation on the planet, but they believe a lot of other strange and incorrect things as well. And since only 18% of the US population ever travel abroad, the majority has never any chance to compare their own situation with that elsewhere. It is rather sad.\nYou are also right to assume that the roots for this goes back to the rigid Puritan values on which the USA were founded. Strict protestant bigotry, freemasonry, greed and violence are the four traditional pillars of American society. In recent times Puritan influence, which was predominantly pacifist and isolationist, has been replaced by militant fundamentalist Bible-bashers who are in contrast aggressive by nature and very active warmongers.\nThey have hijacked the White House and meanwhile taken over most of the USA, and in the process reduced the freedom of the ordinary people even further. If things continue as they are now, the USA will be one huge concentration camp, controlled by a small group of dangerous fanatics.\n\nI am so glad to live in Europe, where there are proper laws, a democratic system and plenty of freedom.
365787
America stands for freedom.  However freedom doesn't come free.