Toon & text by John Auchter
Freedom is essential for a happy life and true success. I don’t think most would argue with that. But like most good things, freedom can be appropriated for self-serving purposes.
Fifty years ago, this sort of appropriation was something that tended to be associated with the left. Freedom to have sex without any responsibility, freedom to take drugs without personal or social consequence, freedom to market and sell to youth without ever providing anything of real value. Creates a certain picture, right? Dirty, filthy, commie, godless, hippie, scumbag. (The specific character that pops to my mind is Wesley, Jenny’s abusive boyfriend in Forrest Gump.)
Today, however, the appropriation of freedom for self-serving purposes seems much more associated with the right. Freedom to remove environmental safeguards without any real thought to the consequences. Freedom to finance tax breaks for the very rich by denying healthcare access to the working poor. Freedom to propagate unapologetic lies as long as they create a political advantage. (A whole host of non-fictional characters pop to mind for this.)
In both cases, the selfish march under the banner of “freedom” — and freedom becomes merely a means to an end.
Is that a reasonable parallel? I hope so. Because on Memorial Day weekend I not only appreciate the freedom to express my opinions, I also try to be mindful of the responsibilities that come with it.
John Auchter draws cartoons. Lots and lots of them. You can find them at his incredibly popular website auchtoon.com. You can also find his stuff on Michigan Public Radio’s website under Opinion.
Yes, John, that is a reasonable parallel, sadly. Thank you for expressing it so well. May it reach those who need to hear the message, and may they take it to heart.
Yes. Please may this message reach those who not only need to hear it, but also have the power to make it happen.
Using Memorial Day as an avenue to attack political conservatives makes you a petty and butthurt liberal John. You couldn’t thank those that gave all without throwing in your BS statements regurgitated from so many alt-left websites?
You’re a disgusting pile of waste.
And to this, I think John can say, “I rest my case”.
True that!
So much hate.
Thank you, John.
You tell it like it is, and I’ll add one more to your list:
Freedom to impose religion, such as prayer at public meetings, when our country was founded on a principle of separation of church and state.
John, Insightful cartoon, and an interesting take in your write-up. Our troll has crossed a couple of lines today. Please ignore him. I no longer will engage him.
Was taught to “just ignore it” when someone is acting up for attention.
I’m focusing on the wise and thoughtful folks who share here. Gives one hope~
Another ‘thank you’ to you, John. Well-said, right-on, and so important.
Thanks, all! I appreciate it.
When I was going to school, classes in civics and government were required in order to graduate from high school. Today we have educated a generation of Americans without an awareness of civility and responsibility, but more important with a severe deficiency in critical thinking. Our schools churn out primarily bubble students. If you ask them to use critical thinking to explain their point of view, they are clueless, but they sure do know how to fill in that oval. Too many Americans are rejecting critical thinking in favor of blind obedience to their beliefs only to have become irrational disciples of Donald Trump. This is anathema to maintaining democracy and a free society. That is why our democracy is under attack, aided and abetted by the GOP.
To native of Michigan,
For your information it is not the republican or right wing of natives of this land who have dumbed down the teachings in our classrooms, it is the “liberal, progressive, democrats” who have done this.
I remember being in social studies and civic classes in the mid 1960’s and listening to the leftist teachers rant and rave how great socialism and communism were. That Russia was a far better place to live in than America.
The clueless students of today are the result of the democrats changing the education system.
When a college student gets asked today why he/she/it does not like President Trump, they cannot come up with a rational answer.
I have a challenge for native of Michigan, Andrew Heller, Fred and John. Please show in the Constitution of the United States of America where the word democracy is used in it.
Hint: Only the the word “republic” is used.
Democracies usually end up being dictatorships.
The blind obedience that native of Michigan goes on about is really the blind obedience of the kind that democrats want. Republicans do not want those who cannot think for themselves in
their ranks. We want people to be able to think for themselves.
It is not the republicans that are suppressing free speech. It is those who support the democratic party. Colleges and universities have to create safe space for students. Especially after hilliary lost the election. The colleges and universities had to provide coloring books and blankies for too many students in order them to cope with the election of President Trump.
You are so full of bologna. First, why should I accept your challenge when you keep avoiding mine?
I think we are all well aware that the United States is a Constitutional Republic. Now I challenge you to tell us what that means. Sure you can google it. The important thing is you learn.
Long posts and utter nonsense. Jim 3 writes the Odyssey every day, in backwoods ignorant grammar. I will not even read you Jim-Bob, from now on. Last shot: Do you actually believe “republic” has something to do with Republicans, and “democracy” involves Democrats? And, that, therefore, democracy is bad???! Oy.
fred, As ususal you side step the issue. You claim to believe that America is a Republic, but far too many times I have seen you and Andy use the word democracy.
what challenge are you talking about?
When have you seen me use the word democracy? I dare you find even ONE instance. Although you should probably familiarize yourself with the meaning of that word as well. I will wait.
What’s wrong? Did you discredit yourself again?
Yes our country is a republic and with that we have the right of a free press. It’s not fake news but a national press that is held to standards to back up what they print and say, unlike internet garbage. To bad Trump is degrading true news and is pulling this country apart by repeating garbage that can’t be verified. Maybe Trump needs to sit down and focus on the constitution of these supposedly United States.
To everybody, just to establish a baseline: The USA is both a republic and a democracy. It always has been, and it always will be, we hope. Our two big political parties take their names from these two ideas, but there is no actual conflict between our republic and our democracy.
The names of our political parties are just names, not to be taken literally. Pay no attention to that troll behind his curtain of foolishness.