Is Freedom a Universal Human Yearning?

Everyone wants freedom, or liberty, right? I used to think so, but now I’m maybe not quite so sure.

The first obvious caution light is Iraq – and what’s going on there right now. Are the Iraqis clamoring for a free democracy? Hardly. In fact, it’s looking more and more like we may have to leave permanent troops there if it’s even possible to maintain any democratic influence at all. Why?

A few weeks ago on 60 Minutes I watched an episode where northern European students (in Denmark, I think) bragged that their government “pays them to go to university,” instead of paying to go to college, like we do here.

If they graduate successfully, they are “guaranteed a job, at least six weeks of annual holiday, full health coverage for life and a spot in a retirement home.” Good grief, is this Nirvana?

What these young Europeans give up, however, is almost 60% of each Euro they will ever earn. The government takes it instead. Is it worth it?

“Totally,” said the young Danes, seemingly content to just live and let live.

A zillion questions immediately pop into our western, incentive-motivated minds. What about success, achievement, self-worth, and the good life? Apparently, the Danes are unconcerned. What’s in their air?

And they’re not the only ones, evidently. Other socialist countries and quasi-monarchies in the world are sailing along and seemingly doing just fine – or, at least their people don’t appear to be in dungeons.

Of course this brings up the age-old debate of freedom/liberty vs. control/subjection. Pick your side, and see if you can defend it.

As the world shrinks and national, economic and cultural differences are oozing toward the blender, what will emerge? Your guess is as good as mine. One can just as easily be an optimist – or a pessimist.

I just hope Lady Liberty will retain meaning and represent hope for a long time to come.

O yes, Happy 66th Birthday, Jim.