YOUR AD HERE »

MPHS Open Book: Editorial – The boundaries of freedom

Michaela Gibboni
MPHS senior

As Americans, the word “freedom” is very respected but not always understood. Freedom, in a classic definition, allows a person to do essentially whatever they please with no restrictions. In the United States, we pride ourselves on this freedom, the freedom that our countrymen die for, and constantly we are reminded that “freedom isn’t free”. These freedoms that we fight for though…how much do they really allow before restrictions come into play? Has freedom gone from the ability to do everything to the ability to do everything BUT?

The United States prides itself on its outstanding and pure government. So much, in fact, that we feel we need to share our democratic ways with the world, whether it wants it or not. Our inalienable rights rest in three things: life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, yet within moral values, many of these things are questioned. Morals, since the beginning of our government, bring up questions that occasionally lead to restrictions, thus threatening our fundamentally “free” society. But Americans must ask themselves, do they want to go to prison for killing another, or allow criminals to run freely on the streets of our country? Should people be punished for doing or distributing drugs, or shall the junkies shoot up on neighborhood corners for eternity?

Within our prized freedom comes restrictions dictated by morals. Who gets to say what is morally right and morally wrong? Who knows. But in America we have the freedom to question everything, down to the very foundation of our government, and we have the freedom to talk about it too. Always exercise your right to be free.


Support Local Journalism

Support Local Journalism

The Sky-Hi News strives to deliver powerful stories that spark emotion and focus on the place we live.

Over the past year, contributions from readers like you helped to fund some of our most important reporting, including coverage of the East Troublesome Fire.

If you value local journalism, consider making a contribution to our newsroom in support of the work we do.