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| quote: | Originally posted by Yoepus
It simple the US philosophy of freedom can be described as different from the European system like this:
In the US they believe you should be as free as possible from government.
In the EU they beleive your government should be free to make you comfortable.
Therefore in the US you are (more) free from paying taxes. In the EU you are (more) free from worrying about life. |
I think you completely misunderstood the main point.
I live in Germany for 16 years, and this is now my 7th year in the US (5 years in MA, 1 year in NY and now in PA):
Freedom of speech is certainly more protected in the US than in Germany. If I distribute NAZI propaganda in Germany, chances are pretty good that I will land in jail. However, freedom of expression is much more protected in Germany, example:
- I can walk around the city carrying ANY beverage I want.
- Afaik there is no public drunkeness law.
- You can demonstrate, but it has to be announced first with the reason being that the police wants to know ahead of time if there might be a conflict.
- While my parents choose my initial religious affiliation, I have the right to change this, once I turn 14
- I can drink at age 16
Other things:
I can go to Cuba.
Whenever I go back home to Germany, the "Immigration" official is NICE to me and doesn't ask me where I was and what I did there. If one enters the US they get asked these questions. My GF, who is american, gets asked more questions when she enters her HOME country than when she enters germany.
I can drive as fast as I want on certain parts of the autobahn. ("Free driving for free people" is our slogan)
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Freedoms I enjoy in the US: I would pay less taxes, and social fees, but would have to provide my own health insurance and retirement.
[edit]
I just thought of another thing: Public Parks in Germany do not close. I am talking about the kind with trees, grass, trails and the occasional lake or pond. The concept of a public park being closed is very difficult for me to understand. How can an open area be closed?
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Last edited by drizzt81 on Nov-16-2004 at 02:37
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