The U.S. is NOT the freest country

"It really started with the beginning of the Bush administration," says Ian Vásquez, author of the Human Freedom Index. Watch the full replay of Vásquez's conversation with Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller: • The pandemic was a "ca...
Cato Institute Human Freedom Index: cato.org/human-freedom-index/2022

[@GiRR007]

Freedom index's dont actually measure freedom. When you have variables like how good a countries social welfare system is as a measurement of freedom then the list loses all credibility. Because that is not what freedom means.

[@DorperSystems]

Freedom Index = Sodomy Index

[@Bloodstryke]

You are 100% correct. A social welfare system is the opposite of freedom since it makes taxpayers slaves to those who receive government handouts.

[@burtingtune]

I agree: freedom from want is not freedom of choice, which is how I think of freedom.

[@robertpresley1503]

That's....literally exactly what freedom means.

[@GiRR007]

@@robertpresley1503 It appears you need to find a dictionary.

[@williamw3501]

I don't think freedom means what they think it means. I want this: 1) Private ownership. Can I own land? How many restrictions are there in the use of my property. For example, if my neighborhood can tell me what color my front door is, you need to ask yourself who actually owns the house. 2)self-preservation. Do I have the right to own a gun. For self-defense, hunting, balance to government force, etc.. if you have to ask permission not to die. Then you're definitely not free. 3) personal autonomy. Can I use recreational drugs? Can I choose what medical options I think are best? Can I marry who I want and raise my kids they way I want with the beliefs I value. 4) economic opportunity. Can I start my own business? Can I run that they best way I see fit. Is my success or failure based on the free market or government standards? 5) speech and expression. Do I have the freedom to share my ideas and values. Do I have free and fair access to information? I don't think the list matches these values at all. 🤔

[@AJ56]

Spot on. I’d add taxes, how much the gov steals from me every year is fundamental. These clowns have Switzerland and lot at the top where it’s 50%+ in income taxes, that’s socialism to me, not freedom.

[@canigetachannel]

You don't "own" anything, because you can't "pay" for anything with "debt". The dollar is a debt note. Why do you register your "property" with "the state"? Why do you allow "the state" into your private personal relationship with your wife/husband? You have consented to being "owned" by the state; your nanny. You won't find the way, it has been hidden from you, intentionally. You'll only find it, if you read and study "the law".

[@Dan16673]

It def does. Other countries do much better on many of these

[@jackesioto]

@@canigetachannel That is because if you don't register your property with the state and allow it to do those things, they do it anyways and if you resist, you end up in jail or six feet under! Remember, the govt has plenty of mercenaries armed to the teeth and it has the cages!

[@canigetachannel]

@@jackesioto Yes, but I am not their subject, because I live in the Republic. I'm not going to impede what they're doing, just as long as they don't impede what I'm doing. Read the law.

[@Goldenblade14]

New Zealand being the second free-est country here is a laugh.

[@Btobebone]

I know that the kiwi farms isn't for everyone, but the owner telling that country where they could shove everything when they demanded it and other info on everyone there so they could arrest innocent citizens for the crime of watching the Christchurch incident video put a smile on my face.

[@explodethebomb]

And what makes you think it isn't?

[@firstnamelastname6118]

>You've lost 0.1 freedom points! does anyone take this seriously?

[@CC-cn9rv]

There is no way that Australia is more free than the US

[@explodethebomb]

Unless your only metric for freedom is gun rights, it is

[@CaptainSpiffari]

@@explodethebomb You can be thrown in prison for 10 fucking years for selling banned films in Australia. There's also other kinds of shit the government there has done. thejuicemedia has videos about it.

[@adamschmoetzer1854]

@@explodethebomb *laughs in lockdowns*

[@lizard450]

@@adamschmoetzer1854 seriously America was never locked down outside of like 2 areas rules by national socialist new york and commiefornia. The lockdowns in Europe were only bested by china. That's not saying much. Most of Europe doesn't even understand the concept of free speech. Their taxes are fucking nuts.

[@tommyanomaly6193]

It doesn't mean it's more free on every issue but overall yes it's more free!

[@WolfdogsRescue]

It has Canada & Australia over the U.S. who made this list? The WEF?

[@trentp151]

Freedom is slavery, right is wrong, good is bad, queer is normal. Doublespeak is taking over the world.

[@c97x]

The w e f makes half the fucking decisions for half the world. The w e f literally owns the United States dog we are neo Europe, the Americans that are here just want to be neo northern Europe and that should never going to happen

[@aboylegolcom]

The UK -- a country where you can be jailed for a tweet -- is ranked more free than the US in this listing. OK, thank you. All I needed to know. Won't be wasting my time on this video.

[@darkmatter6714]

The US - a country where: 1) You can get arrested for tweeting (source: CNBC, October 19th 2023 - “Man sentenced to prison for Tweeting to suppress votes for Trump”) 2) You can get arrested for NOT tweeting (source: Huffington Post, 18th March 2010 - “Roppo, a vice president at Island Def Jam Records, was arrested in part for his failure to use Twitter to control crowds of fans that had appeared at a Long Island mall to see Justin Bieber”) 3) You are not free to have a beer as an adult. 4) A country which only became a democracy in 1965. And I bet this is all news to you. You know why? Because the World Press Freedom Index ranks US press freedom as 45th in the world - 45th! My advice to you - stop watching Fox News.

[@howardroark3736]

Just based on the countries above the US, this list feels silly. Canada is manifestly not freer than the US. I struggle to think of any metric connected with freedom on which Canada outperforms. Perhaps some narrowly defined measure of economic freedom? New Zealand is surely not getting more free with time. They’re trying to work their way towards becoming Australia with all their gun-grabbing. And Australia is ahead of Canada in destroying freedom, I think. This list is BS. Not to say the USA is doing well or doing what it’s supposed to, but we’re no Canada/Australia/New Zealand. Jeez!

[@susanjones7734]

I don’t know. Men are playing in women’s sports. The government is controlling what we can see and hear on social media. Everyone who doesn’t agree is a Nazi. Covid mandates saying that natural immunity isn’t real. Insanity is ruling.

[@superchargerone]

Erm have you actually lived in the countries you listed? I imagine you are american? you have a passport? lol

[@winstonsmithsoul]

New Memeland at number 2??? Reporting from the gulag in the South Pacific.

[@winstonsmithsoul]

@@superchargerone His comment is correct. Ardern stepped down because of public backlash and the WEF concerns she didn’t handle their directives very well. Her replacement is a mere distraction from the dictatorship we live under.

[@MonkeyMaster1707]

As someone who lives in New Zealand, it has gone to absolute shit under the current government and is looking more and more big brother esque. the old PM who caused the most damage left before the election thats going to happen late this year and the current one cant tell reporters what a woman is.

[@deshaunjackson8188]

This is just conversation where three idiots agree with each other. No reasoning is happening

[@etrs]

Implying the Britain is a freer country than America is like implying that China is a more gay-friendly country than Canada.

[@williamw3501]

@Heretic that's Switzerland. I can see how they're ranked higher than the us. But GB? No way. Especially Canada and Australia.

[@williamw3501]

@Heretic funny you say that. I'm in Midwest. A friend of mine actually sells and repairs farm equipment. Nobody here buys the majority of new equipment bcs of the stipulations. Makes a fortune keeping the older equipment running. It's insane how that even became an issue.

[@LouisEmery]

There is no way that Canada is freer than USA.

[@WhomstoeverIsAStupidWord]

On the graph of the United States freedom under “relationships” it says “female genital mutilation” what does that mean in this context?

[@acctsys]

It means whether girls and women are forced to be circumcised.

[@Vanlifecrisis]

New Zealand? Seriously? LoL 😂

[@henrytifft8985]

While yes,i do agree that america has declined in freedom canada, germany, the uk, new zealand and Australia are all far less free in the uk and Germany you can even get arrested for edgy tweets or having a seperate opinion from the gov't not to mention even what canada Australia or new zealnd have done within the last few years

[@weazelnews1038]

most of this is correct but in Canada no one has been arrested for edgy tweets or having separate opinion from the gov't

[@henrytifft8985]

@@weazelnews1038 yes, but i was mentioning their lack in freedom in other area's like freezing protesters accounts, vaccing mandates, gun bans, a new bill propsed that would make it illegal to make anti lgbtq statements,and more

[@jaxdragonvein8162]

@@weazelnews1038 yet

[@harrydehnhardt5092]

You shouldn't base your image of the world on what FOX, OAN or Newsmax tell you. Your assertion is complete nonsense. Nobody gets arrested because of "edgy tweets" or critizising the government. The right to freedom of expression is a fundamental right in Germany and is only restricted in these cases: "...Freedom of expression may be restricted by other laws. For example, insults are not covered by the right to freedom of expression. Nor are obvious falsehoods, such as Holocaust denial or the spreading of fake news, covered by freedom of expression." And I think that is a good thing. If, spreading lies or insulting others are just "edgy tweets" for you, then that doesn't speak well for you.

[@rhino2992]

Lol sorry guys all metrics are wrong because this guys says so.

[@I_Lemaire]

Just like everyone says in the comments--the US isn't #1 but it isn't 23 either. Get it together, Freedom House.

[@drummerboyj70]

I totally disagree with that chart. I don't disagree that there is an ark of anti-freedom that is occurring in the United States but look at the lockdowns that occurred in many other countries during covid like Australia and New Zealand. Not to mention firearms. Switzerland is the one country on that list that may be worth moving to.

[@PrepperNow]

New Zealand? Laughable with the forced poke

[@vegacool1]

How did New Zealand make number 2? Jacinda had that place locked down tighter than a nuns...

[@rhino2992]

I suppose because Covid is over

[@artisanmage5378]

In what world is Australia more free than America?

[@jsegovia]

Reality

[@concernedliberal4453]

@@jsegovia Yeah, nothing says "freedom" more than internment camps and firearm confiscation. You were better off when it was a penal colony.

[@VincitOmniaVeritas7]

The lockdowns proved that many of these countries (specially in Oceania) aren’t so free as we thought

[@jefferydebbink282]

Interesting how increases in government rules and government debt leads to lower freedom.

[@wrexchicane8259]

How is homocide considered an issue, but not mentioning gun / self defense right and protection?

[@TheMichaelMove]

The Cato Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World Index is a must read for anyone who wants to understand the statistical basis for free market superiority. Much more objective than its human freedom index.

[@rorycolgan]

M so shocked...oh wait nope, I have seen many freedoms removed from the US

[@Mr_Fairdale]

Oh horsefeathers! That is list is useless

[@freyawildesciencefictionau8156]

Empires always fall, always. That's not a bad thing.

[@wtf_usa5597]

2000: 6th .. 2022: 23rd. Hmm.. 🤔 DEFINITELY a "worrisome trend". But we can ALL feel it. I know I can. 😪

[@mattcollins4550]

This is completely bogus, the Freedom Index doesn't account for the right to keep and bear arms at all. Come back when you have something that takes all factors into account.

[@CC-pu6yu]

It's weird- you can almost feel the freedom waning. Like it's in the air.

[@andybilakshow260]

All that means is you're fully awake with sharp eyes.

[@TickedOffPriest]

We need President Coolidge back.

[@dariusthurman8835]

In the 1980s America was ranked 2.

[@lizard450]

In the 80s the list was maybe measuring actual freedom.

[@lizard450]

@@hydroponichomesteader6852 freer before the Patriot act

[@nickfoster848]

New Zealand is number 2? Lol

[@rickhall517930]

But we have transsexual reading hour at libraries thanks to all the protests. That should count for something 😂😂😂😂

[@rosgill6]

...according to an index. Again, reason shows what side it's on

[@mrsmith8436]

Depends on how you define freedom

[@johnl5316]

3:24 'freedom of movement was not affected by the virus. The virus did noting to travel. In 1958 during a major flu pandemic my family sailed on the Queen Mary to Europe from the USA and spent a month freely driving around Europe.

[@concernedliberal4453]

After what happened in COVID, Venezuela deserves a higher spot on this list than Australia and New Zealand. How do you guys expect ANYONE to take the Human Freedom Index seriously after this?

[@Btobebone]

and the Christchurch shooting, the new Zealand government was spying on and jailing people for even watching the video

[@rhino2992]

Ahh Covids over bro

[@concernedliberal4453]

@@rhino2992 Doesn't mean it never happened

[@MollyOKami]

"HOW IN SATAN'S SHINY BALLSACK" IS NEW ZEALAND #2!?!?

[@coyote-wang]

California has effectively wasted my entire life and left me destitute

[@RickWeberEcon]

We’re number 23! We’re number 23!

[@stevelofquist507]

Thank you cops

[@smoothALOE]

Yikes!

[@Sandlin22]

Freedom rankings are dumb

[@DarkAuraDeathAngel]

5:52 2008 to be exact

[@DarkAuraDeathAngel]

8:23 like Mexico🇲🇽 right?

[@davidg5629]

No way New Zealand is freer than the US. America is is in decline. Still free-ish, though.

[@jenmolly8794]

Not anymore unreal.

[@PeterQuentercrimsonbamboo]

The fact that it is happening sound the world in countries with very different cultures and political traditions is one other hint at there being manipulative people behind the scenes pulling strings and pushing the same agenda’s across the globe -

[@quatreraberbawinner2628]

Libertarians....

[@TimedNonTides]

So, we lost freedom ie suffered harm/life taken, generally & specifically meant. Now what; sue for peace & to hell w/ justice-just hope we can vote freedom back-optimistic in our chains? When is that the wrong answer; it can't always be the answer? Not sure libertarianism has any answer for this question ie what to do when the line is crossed. Do u believe in a line, personally, culturally? Without at least the real threat of violence, a man, a people, are pitiful. This message, this philosophical reality ought be known... Why don't you talk about that, a lot more, encourage understanding of that... Appreciate this deep dive. Green Pill'd

[@jay-by1se]

We would need to end bank/government interaction in every way. And shrink the government 50% in a day. Then hire special prosecutors to go after all government officials who committed crimes. And most of all. If a lesser of a three letter agency can't answer a question to Congress they are fired on the spot.

[@johnk2452]

*_This DECLINE of our NATIONALfreedom, here in the USA, most likely will continue_* ... unless and until a much greater percentage of We The People, preferably, a good solid majority --- that is, we the LEGAL citizens --- come to understand and appreciate our American DEMOCRACY and decide comprehensively to perform our individual and collective Patriotic Duties as are required to maintain such a democracy. *_[Note: to learn such patriotic duties, read our Declaration of Independence; where, for well over two centuries, they have been and continue to be stated clearly.]_*

[@StickyMcBudNugget]

The fact that ReasonTV has 8.5k views in 6 days makes me really nervous about America's future....

[@donaldharlan3981]

two faced

[@brucegruetzmacher5891]

South Dakota does not require a person to wear a helmet on their Harley because they beliieve that a person OWNES his own head. Do the nations listed higher on the list believe that people get to own their own head? Or do have to wear a helmet on your cycle to protect the goverments head?

[@davelane4055]

Quote,"elections have consqueinces stolen elections have catastrophic consequences " Stephen K Bannon great America MAGA

[@chadachwilliam5515]

No one is free, you want to know how I know that? You need a passport to travel. That’s not freedom

[@colinchampollion4420]

You hot the Bullseye

[@robinbaby1971]

It was never the land of the free. It's not even a "Nation". Reality check please.

[@jackesioto]

Just about the only major distinction between the United States and other countries these days is that the United States never adopted the metric system, it is the only country except Liberia where the metric system isn't used in any official capacity.

[@concernedliberal4453]

And it doesn't seem to negatively impact us in any meaningful way, which is why we don't go through the significant trouble of changing it.

[@anthonygomez9686]

A lot of really defensive Americans in the comment. The video explains that the decline in rule of law is the primary reason for the US' decline.

[@heroesandzeros7802]

In a country where you are fined if your blinds do not match and police kill children for carrying Bibles on public sidewalks, there is absolutely nothing free about the United States. The US Constitution means nothing unless you have the tens of thousands of dollars to defend your rights in court. If you really want to take a step toward freedom, make defending your rights in court free for every victim. The federal government should pay all costs, including attorney's fees and court costs. In reality, US police can break every law and violate every right you have with a profit motive and get qualified immunity. Police steal from the public with Civil Asset Forfeiture, and you have to prove your innocence. Police set up bomb threats to search your property without a warrant, and break into homes to kill you and your children. Police are paid to be criminals. The US government is allowed to tell business owners who they can hire, what job you can take, where you can live, what your hairstyle can be, what you can wear, ... and there is not a damned thing you can do about it.