America is known as the country of freedom, equality, and...Tom Cruise or at least this is how we, French people, see it! But after two years in the US, I have realized that, first of all, America is far from being equal, and secondly, Tom Cruise is not in that many movies, and finally, their "Freedom" is all messed up!
Sure: they have freedom, but not the good kind! For example, you cannot walk in the street while drunk. Hey, that should be cool as long as you don't destroy cars and public property. Neither can you pee outside, even in a forest behind a tree! I mean, urine is probably a great nutrient for plants, so where is the beef?
Also, I, as a foreigner, am not free to drive with a license from my country, when Americans are free to drive with their license in France. Are you guys scared that we might crash into your cars? First of all, your cars are freaking tanks, so you don't risk anything, and second of all, you guys are the ones with TV shows showing how bad drivers are in the US!
It is also illegal to say the F-word (or six other dirty words) on public spaces (TV, Radio, newspapers, Online, conferences). I mean South Park is complete crap without those dirty words!
So you are going to argue that those are a few surrendered liberties that are necessary for society's functioning, and that you do have freedom in your life. You sure do! You are free to:
- carry a gun in 49 states (exception for DC and Illinois). Are you guys crazy?
- Insult people publicly, or protest at military funerals (yes, I am talking about you Westboro Baptist Church!)
- Westboro Baptist Church: those people should not even have the freedom to open their mouths!
And each state has its own rules. For example in Alabama, incestuous marriages are LEGAL but dominoes may not be played on Sundays! In Massachusetts, snoring is illegal unless all windows are closed and securely locked, and all men must carry a gun to go to church! And finally my favorite: it is illegal to have a water gun fight/duel in this same state! Woohoo, kids must have so much fun!
Now, of course it goes without saying that these silly laws are no longer enforced and are simply the remnants of an earlier time. However, the fact that these laws even existed at one point in time shows that the American people have a propensity for legislating in all aspects of life, private or public, despite their many claims of limitless liberty.
Thank you America! It is so fun to live here!
