Freedom: A Fable

"So why is it we can't have universal healthcare coverage?" Joe asked.

"We have to preserve our freedom," Fred said.

"And why we must allow insurance companies to deny people for preexisting conditions?"

"Freedom."

"And why must we also let them cancel coverage for people when they get sick?"

"It's unfortunate, but it's necessary to ensure freedom."

"In order to be free, people must remain at the mercy of insurance companies?"

"I wouldn't expect you to understand. But yes. Freedom."


"The country elected a Democratic congressional majority and a Democratic president, Barack Obama, who ran on healthcare reform. Now that he has signed the bill into law, you say this is an abuse of power."

"Yes. For the reason previously stated."

"Freedom."

"That's right."

"And many of your cohorts say threats of violence against these elected officials are justified."

"Yes. Threats and violence are justified to preserve freedom."

"Even though these people were fairly elected, and they only did what they said they would do when they were running."

"As I said, freedom."

"As justification, you cite polls showing opposition to the overall bill, and yet for decades you've decried politicians who act according to poll numbers, and you applauded Dick Cheney when he was asked about poll numbers opposing the Iraq War, and he responded, 'I think you cannot be blown off course by the fluctuations in the public opinion polls.'"

"That was about freedom then, too."

"The Iraq War."

"Yes."

"A war of choice."

"A choice for freedom."

"And holding people indefinitely without charges."

"We do what we must to ."

"Wiretapping without warrants, even on American citizens."

"Again, sometimes we have to make tough choices for freedom."

"And waterboarding."

"Freedom."

"Now these soldiers fighting our wars. They will be kicked out of the military if they admit they're homosexual. What does that have to do with freedom?"

"The freedom of heterosexual soldiers to not be around gay soldiers."

"And in their civilian lives, in all but a few places, they can't even marry each other. That's freedom too?"

"The freedom to keep other people from doing things you don't like."

"So what is this 'freedom' again?"

"You ask too many questions."

"I thought I had freedom to do that."

"I say you don't."

"Oh yeah? This is America. How are you going to stop me?" Joe asked.

"This way," Fred said, and took out a gun, and shot Joe dead.

"Free at last," Fred said.