Time to redefine freedom

It has been worrying me for a long time now that somehow American politicians have successfully twisted the word freedom to mean little to no social safety net and little to no responsibility for the wellbeing our neighbors.  And that such a situation is desireable.  And as a result have managed over the past couple of decades to systematically strip away safety net programs.  While continuing to get elected by the people who are suffering as a direct result of those cuts. 

How is it that a majority of Americans are uncomfortable with the mere idea of a society that, in a very civilized manner, wouldn't want to see widespread poverty and would want every man, woman and child to have access to healthcare?  I'm always stunned when so many people vote directly in opposition to their best interests.  The very wealthy in this country just keep getting better and better at convincing the average citizen that social programs are bad.  Still a bunch of old aristocratic white men who don't want to pay their taxes.

I sincerely believe that none of us are free when so many of us don't know where our next meal is coming from.  I don't feel free.  I bet that most Americans living below the poverty line don't feel free either. 

“My American friends say they live in the best country in the world, and in a lot of ways they are right. But they always have to worry: ‘What happens to my family if I have a heart attack?  What happens when I turn 65 or 70?’ America is the land of the free. But I think we are freer.”