Liberty - what's it all about?

We often hear the word "liberty" used in so many contexts that we often take it for granted. If current policies, laws and citizen behavior are any example, we've really lost sight of this word and the philosophy behind it.

We've become accustomed to freedom as an American birthright, and we fail to stay mindful of just how fragile it is. Like Joni Mitchell reminds us: "we don't know what we've got 'til it's gone."

Well, I hope to provide some discussion in these pages to bring us back to "square one" when it comes to this precious concept and basic human right - this three syllable word that can be found in so many quotes, inscriptions and places in our country.

As you are aware, the word is synonymous with "freedom." In other words, we are free to do as we please. Many of us don't fully appreciate our freedom until it is threatened. We take it for granted, but it wasn't granted, it was hard won through blood, sweat, tears, and the careful planning and intellect of our founders.

Freedom is something to be carefully guarded for there are so many in public and private life that purposely and unwittingly erode our freedom by their actions, ignorance and apathy. There is no excuse for this neglectful behavior.

Let's take a close look at liberty and its many forms in the United States, both past and present, but first, let's look at definitions of the word and a tutorial on the philosophy of individual freedom and the responsibility that comes with it. These will be good starting points for more detailed discussion.

Paraphrasing and reorganizing for clarity, "liberty" is defined in Merriam-Webster's Unabridged Dictionary as:

• the quality or state of being free
• freedom from usually external restraint or compulsion; the power to do as one pleases
• a condition of legal nonrestraint of natural powers
• exemption from subjection to the will of another claiming ownership or services
• freedom from arbitrary or despotic control
• the power of choice
• freedom from necessity
• freedom from compulsion or constraint in the act of willing something

• privilege
• bondage, serfdom, slavery

It's getting clearer to me. How about you?

Let's look at the concept from a philosophical standpoint. There are many and varied considerations here, but the underlying concept is clear - you're free and so are others. As I like to say, it takes courage to be free, but it takes even more courage to let others be free.

The following video is a bit long, but well worth watching as it clarifies many libertarian concepts with respect to individual freedom and individual responsibility.

You might want to watch this again to let some of the philosophy and concepts sink in a bit. Go ahead, I'll wait for you.

Okay, with a comprehensive definition and a nice video of the basic concepts, we should have a good foundation to build on. Let's look at some of the features of American history that show our interest in individual freedom. There are many to discuss.

The Liberty Bell

This is a part of American history that I have seen up close and personal - complete with the chips and that big crack. There is a replica of the famous bell outside of the capitol in Cheyenne, and it encourages you to rededicate yourself to freedom.

This symbol of American freedom is on our coins too. We often say "let freedom ring" and you know we're referring to that bell that hangs on display in Philadelphia, right across the street from Independence Hall.

Liberty on our Coins

The image of lady liberty graces many U.S. coins that were minted over the years. Whether they are coins meant for circulation or simply meant for collectors, the image of that lady is found in profile, seated, standing and walking. It's most often found on dimes and dollar coins.

For many years, the liberty bell was found on the Franklin half-dollar commonly used from the late 1940s to the early 1960s until they were replaced by the Kennedy half-dollar. The idea of freedom can be found repeatedly no matter where you turn, and our money is no exception.

Statue of Liberty

Now here is another great symbol of American freedom. It was a gift from the French, and its inscription reminds us that America was once a place that welcomed immigrants from across the globe. Today, the statue of liberty still welcomes folks to America, but we aren't all that eager to receive them.

Nevertheless, they keep beating down our door. It must be that we have something that the rest of the world strongly desires. I'll bet you that much of what immigrants seek is freedom and opportunity, the two things that most native born Americans take for granted.

Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of England said: "A simple way to take measure of a country is to look at...how many want in...and how many want to get out." I think our freedom is one of the many factors that keep so many around the world interested in getting in.

One of my favorite quotes from Ronald Reagan involved this famous statue symbolizing freedom. While circling around New York in an airplane, our former president looked out of the window at the statue and remarked that "she" was the only other woman in his life.

Liberty Tree

Let's not forget the "tree of liberty" that Thomas Jefferson advised must from time-to-time be refreshed with the blood of patriots and tyrants. There were many such trees in colonial times that were used for meetings to discuss the objections to English rule and all that went with it.

The idea of a group of people assembling was seen as a possible threat of rebellion. A gathering of people under a tree would seem less threatening, so that what was popular at the time.

Such a tree was first recognized in Boston, but soon, similar trees that symbolized freedom were identified in every colony. Let's learn more about the original liberty tree and it's history.

Sons of Liberty

This famous group of male colonists made quite an impression on British rule during colonial times. They staged protests, erected symbols of freedom in the colonies, harassed interests of the crown, and harassed fellow colonists that were supporters of King George.

There wasn't just one group, but many throughout the colonies that went by various names, but the focus was the same - freedom. It's clear in hindsight that these individuals were a kind of terrorist of the day, harassing businesses and individuals, and trying to inflict economic harm on the crown.

It's long been said that one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. We can lovingly call them "Sons of Sedition" because that's exactly what they were up to - writing, speaking and acting against the establish government with the idea of overthrowing it in favor of a more free and just one.

Daughters of Liberty

The Daughters of liberty were the female counterparts to the Sons of Liberty. They did their part to support freedom for the colonies in many ways, but mainly on the home front. Much of their activities were associated with creating goods at home that would replace heavily taxed goods that came from England.

The bulk of their work was associated with making cloth and other textile related products to replace those highly taxed commodities coming from England. They were also effective in staging boycotts of goods as a way of protesting the taxes associated with them.

Throughout the colonies, these groups of women also sought to create alternatives to goods from England so the colonists would have a suitable product, without the tax. Tea and sugar are examples of common household items that these groups sought to replace with other products that were not subject to taxation by the crown.

Corporate and Business Names

Try this exercise. Go to the phone book and see how many business names in your community begin with or include the word "liberty." In the little city of Cheyenne, Wyoming there are about a half a dozen.

Now, look up the word on the Internet to see how many books, organizations, products, cities, counties, schools, businesses and programs have the same name or at least incorporate the word in their name. All libertarians have a keen sense of the word, as liberty is at the very heart of the name of their political philosophy.

We all need to stay mindful of our freedoms, and those who would take them away or let them be taken by others. Thomas Jefferson reminded us - freedom is easy to win, but it's hard to keep.

Done with Liberty, take me Home