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America Not Among Top Ten Freest
By Chuck Baldwin
February 11, 2005
In a recent column, I noted how Americans have lost numerous
freedoms since George W. Bush became president. Of course, the
reality of the situation is, the federal government has been
increasingly encroaching upon the liberties of the American
people for decades. Unfortunately, that trend
only seems to be escalating.Now, a new report states that the U.S. is
not even among the top ten freest economies.
According to the Heritage Foundation, "The United States is tied
for 12th place with Switzerland in the 2005 Index of Economic
Freedom. The world's second largest economy, Japan, ranks 39th
in the survey. The United States has dropped out of the world's
top 10 'freest economies.'"
The Heritage report also said, "Perhaps the greatest surprise in this
year's index is the failure, for the first time, of the United
States to make the top 10."
Most Americans would probably be stunned to hear that their
country is not even among the top ten freest nations. However,
this should not come as a surprise.
For all intents and purposes, neither major party in Washington,
D.C., gives a flip about securing God-given liberties. Both
Democrat and Republican administrations (including the current
one) have consistently led the charge against the Bill of Rights.
Furthermore, Congress and a majority of federal courts have been
trampling constitutional protections of our liberties for most of
my adult life. Therefore, how can we be
surprised to learn that the United States is
no longer anywhere close to being "the land of the
free" that it once was?
In fact, an American missionary to China recently told me that
America's laws and regulations are, on the whole, more
restrictive than the laws and regulations of
Communist China. That is an astounding
statement to make, but he insists that it is true!
Then again, when one considers the innumerable permits, fees,
federal taxes, state taxes, local taxes, property taxes,
assessments, zoning laws, land-use
regulations, building codes, animal protection
laws, environmental laws, ad nauseum, ad infinitum that
are part of America's everyday life, it becomes easily apparent
that the American dream has become an American
nightmare!
America can only be "the land of the free" as long as it is also "the
home of the brave." Unfortunately, bravery is one thing that
appears to be absent from the character of most pastors,
businessmen, fathers, and politicians today!
Until God raises up some modern day Patrick Henrys and John
Witherspoons, it seems that the United States will continue its
collapse into ever increasing servitude. Therefore, don't be
surprised if when the next Heritage report comes out that America
is not even among the top twenty freest nations on earth. The
only surprising thing would be if anyone
noticed.
© Chuck Baldwin
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