World Freedom Rankings: Mixed Review for U.S.
As shown here (larger version below), the United States comes in #53 in the Freedom House world freedom rankings this year. This report offers some interesting reading as to how this was derived.
Those living outside the U.S may not realize that freedom is a big deal here. In fact, we consider ourselves the “land of the free”; we sing these words as part of our national anthem at the beginning of each major sporting event and on other important occasions. Thus, this ranking should cause a great deal of consternation among all Americans.
How could this be improved? Here are a few suggestions:
• Do everything possible to get big money out of politics, starting with overturning the “Citizens United” decision, which allows corporations to spend limitless amounts in determining the outcome of our elections. From there, implement and strictly enforce laws governing other campaign finance.
• Prevent Russia from meddling in our elections.
• Eliminate the electoral college (points are lost when people who lose the popular vote are put into power).
• Resolve immediately, one way or the other, the 1o or 11 allegations that the U.S. president obstructed justice. (For good reason, huge points are lost when the country’s leader is above the law.)
• “Call out” the U.S. president for falsely claiming that our elections are rigged, that millions of people vote illegally, etc.
• Stop throttling the press, denying access of media with dissenting views, referring to the media as “fake news,” and prosecuting journalists who publish true but defamatory articles.
• Protect corporate and government whistleblowers; they represent freedom from wrong-doing.
• Respect the rights of LGBTQs and other minorities.
• Provide women autonomy over their reproductive systems.
• Accept the concept that healthcare is a basic human right.
• Protect net neutrality.
• Reduce military aggression, eschew torture, follow the laws by which wars are fought, don’t pardon war criminals, don’t back out of internationally approved peace agreements, and do everything possible to reduce the threat of nuclear war. This will provide increased freedom from injury, death, and bereavement suffered by those in the military and their families.
• Obey all U.S. and international laws with respect to the treatment of asylum seekers.
• Cease the defunding of public schools. Ignorance and a free society are mutually incompatible.
• Insofar as global warming and other forms of ecologic destruction disproportionately affect the freedom of the poor, get on board with climate change mitigation and environmental regulation. Invest in cleantech R&D.
• Ensure equal pay for women.
• Eliminate the two-tiered justice in which money buys leniency; prosecute white-collar criminals with the same vigor as we do the common American.
• Support groups/movements focused on civil rights, e.g., #MeToo and BLM.
• Protect government lands from privatization.
• Re-establish the Environmental Protection Agency, whose purpose is to guarantee freedom from disease and death stemming from dirty water and air, as well as toxic products and poisonous food ingredients.
• Close loopholes that enable corporations and the super-rich to avoid paying taxes, forcing this burden onto the (shrinking) middle class. Do not give enormous tax breaks to the wealthy at the expense of the national debt.
• Balance rights to safety from gun violence with the Second Amendment, implementing common sense laws on the ownership of firearms. School children and their families deserve freedom from mentally unstable people with weapons of war.
Though it may seem a strange thing to say, at #53, the U.S. ranking could be a lot worse. We could be Russia, or China, or any of a number of banana republics run by a strongman with dozens of medallions on his chest who is addressed with the title generalissimo. But understand this: we’re headed in the wrong direction. In 2016, the U.S. was tied for 21st, and this year’s report makes it clear that the trend is down.
Keep in mind that all democracies that become autocracies–every single one–go down when their citizens say, “Oh, that couldn’t happen here.” We need to understand both that it can happen here, and that, in fact, it is in the process of happening here.
Once that understanding is in place, we need to get to work and turn this around before it’s too late.
Craig,
You really should do a little homework before including these strange little charts to verify your rants. After all, if you accept such nonsense it say much for your own credibility !
You do realize countries like ‘Andorra” don’t really exist in the true sense of countries don’t you? Nor do the authors seem have discussed the peculiar criminal legal system of Japan with Carlos Ghosn, or the massive problem of crime and corruption in Belize.
Do you really agree with the government of St Vincent &St Ices (44) who punish Homosexuality with imprisonment for five years and 25 strokes of the lash” ?
Hmm,…how about Liechtenstein ? While Liechtenstein citizens are certainly wealthy and content, the Hereditary Price, is completely above the law and can dismiss governments, veto any law, and sits as the nations chief judge. A referendum to award the Prince even more power anhd make his completely exempt from any form of prosecution, was passed by more than 76% vote.
Lists such as this are pretty meaningless and not reflective of anything, apart from the authors political convictions.
But, then your lengthy list is also just another way of saying “Whaaaaa,… I cant get my own way, so I want the rules changed to make sure I can win “!
Since most of your list is either impractical, won’t happen, or would be very unpopular, why bother?
Implementing your list wouldn’t make the US more “democratic”, in fact quite the opposite!
The rest of your list is vague and impractical, sort of reminiscent of a Beauty Contestant announcing she wants to use the position of “Miss Tractor Pull 2019” to work for ‘World Peace’.
I can’t imagine what other readers think of comments like this. You’re suggesting that:
I should take issue with Freedom House, the U.S.-backed NGO that’s been conducting exhaustive and unbiased reporting on the subject since 1941, because they “don’t know” that Andorra, Belize and Liechtenstein are small countries?
I shouldn’t dare to suggest that the United States become a better country?
Yikes.
Craig,
There you go again !
Yeah, I think you should take issue with “Freedom House” !
Silly me, and here was I thinking you might actually take issue with nations that imprison and flog homosexuals, or nations with justice systems with 95%conviction rates, or heredity monarchs who are constitutionally “above the law ” and accountable to no one,…….but what was I thinking?
(The head of state for Andorra is shared between the President of France and the a Spanish Arch-Bishop, not very democratic or free).
But hey, if you’ve been inaccurate, and anti-American since 1941, why stop now?
It’s not the size of the country that’s the problem, as you well know but the lack of truth !
I can’t see how simple lying can help the US or any other country be aq better nation ?
Hmmm…. or do you think jailing and flogging are better approaches to deal with LBGTQ integration ?
Thanks Craig.
I wouldn’t be unhappy with 53rd place though.
Don’t forget there are over 215 countries in our world and being 53rd puts the US into the top 25%, and from my school days I recall often being reminded that being in the top 25% in anything was really quite an achievement.
So well done, and keep up the good work.
Lawrence Coomber
Brilliant summary of the things must happen and need to for us to survive as a free sustainable, and moral democracy. Can I spread it on the internet….?
Thanks!
Re: spreading it, let me think. Oh, OK. 🙂
We here in the “good ol usa” would likely score a lot higher except for the fact that private interests like the infamous Koch Industries controls much of our local, state and federal gov policies (fossil fuel subsidies) and it is increasingly difficult to change that.
• Do private interests exert undue influence on the economy—through monopolistic practices, concentration of ownership, cartels, or illegal blacklists—that impedes economic opportunity for the general population?
This is an excellent suggestion; thanks!