Examining the Illusion of American Liberties
In a time when concerns about the safety of food and the erosion of truth in media are at the forefront, a call to action is being heard across the United States. The focus is on freeing America from various issues that threaten its core values, including propaganda disguised as news, billionaire influence, mass shootings, foreign lobby influence, racism, and cruel policies.
The U.S., once a beacon of freedom, finds itself struggling in global freedom indices. The country ranks #57 in the Press Freedom Index, #28 in the Democracy Index, and #17 in the Human Freedom Index, falling from higher positions. These rankings are primarily due to factors such as a high incarceration rate with significant human rights concerns, shrinking press freedom, political and judicial challenges, and diminished diplomatic openness, compared to countries in Northern Europe and certain Asian nations.
The U.S. has the largest prison population worldwide and the highest incarceration rate among liberal democracies. Prison terms are criticized as disproportionately severe and disproportionately affecting racial minorities and disadvantaged socioeconomic groups, reflecting systemic social and civil rights challenges. Indices like the World Press Freedom Index show a historic decline in U.S. press freedom amid economic and political pressures undermining journalistic independence. The U.S. also faces issues with diplomatic reciprocity, as its passport strength has declined due to allowing relatively few countries visa-free entry, reflecting reduced international openness and mutual freedom of movement.
Moreover, research from freedom and prosperity indexes indicates that political freedoms—including judicial independence and checks and balances—have been eroding in the U.S., affecting overall freedom ratings. Northern European and select Asian nations typically perform better on these dimensions, with stable democracies, robust rule of law, and higher protections of civil liberties contributing to their superior rankings.
The issue of gun violence is also a significant concern. AR-15s are available on the streets, and kids are doing active shooter drills in kindergarten. The country's ranking in the Internet Freedom Index is also disappointing, as the U.S. is not even in the top 10, due to increasing political polarization, declining rule of law, and growing restrictions on bodily autonomy and protest rights. Policies like requiring visa applicants to hand over social media accounts are undermining digital privacy and global trust in U.S. tech.
However, there is hope. On August 9, 2025, a one-day, global event with TED-style talks from top teachers will take place, inviting readers to join for ideas on personal growth and the future. The event is free to attend from anywhere in the world. The call for reclaiming the true meaning of freedom, beyond slogans, partisanship, and the illusion of freedom, is gaining momentum.
Even Puerto Rico, with 3 million American citizens, has no vote in Congress or for president, highlighting the need for a more inclusive democracy. The U.S. Senate has an equal number of representatives for states with vastly different populations, which is another area that requires attention.
Americans die five years younger than their European counterparts, and the country holds 20% of the world's prisoners, with over 1% of Americans behind bars. These stark realities underscore the need for a fundamental shift in priorities and a commitment to real freedom—freedom from fear, freedom to learn truthfully, and freedom to heal, without censorship or prohibitive costs.
The time for change is now. Join the movement and help reclaim America's promise of freedom for all.
- The call for reclaiming the true meaning of freedom extends beyond the U.S., inviting participants from around the world to a one-day event focused on personal growth and the future.
- Despite the U.S.'s wealth and influence, it lags behind in health outcomes, with Americans dying five years younger than their European counterparts.
- The ongoing issue of gun violence in the U.S. is a concern, demonstrated by active shooter drills carried out in kindergarten and the availability of AR-15s on the streets.
- In the midst of concerns over food safety and media truth, education and self-development, as well as personal growth, are crucial for achieving success and promoting health amidst the challenges of war, politics, and general news.
