“Most people do not really want freedom, because freedom involves responsibility, and most people are frightened of responsibility.”

On a side note; fear, rather than anger, is the opposite of love. Anger, more often than not, derives from fear. One must fully love one's self as well as others before freedom can fully be enjoyed. Responsibility for spouse and children is an extension of love. The same is true of our fellow man. Socialism and certain other theocracies promote fear and duty (being false forms), such being adverse to and, counterfeits of love and responsibility.

I would accept this as true. It is more apt in some parts of the world than others.

Statists are afraid of responsibility...that's why they're statists.

Right on target again.

And it is the GOP who sell us fear each and every day, for they consistantly turn their backs upon all forms of responsibility! http://www.keepfearalive.com/

Maybe a boot in the ass will give people the sense of freedom and a desire to be more responsible.

A from Reston, you use a leftist comedian, creating a false flag and then expanding upon it? Hmmm, not any kind of support there for your placing the GOP as the source of fear mongering. There is ample stuff out there to show how the liberals / progressives / democrats are creating fear, such as rebuilding racism in America and a class war to further implement their version of the statist theocracy. The GOP has its own false flags that it gets creative with to enhance fear but, you really should use real examples to make your point.

There is comfort in being told what to do in that you don't have to take responsibility when things go bad. Those that value freedom are no strangers to falling down, they just have the wherewithall to get up and try again. Why do we talk about needing 'jobs' all the time and yet condemn 'business'? The business owners are the risk takers, the 'employee' merely has to show up and do what they are told -- the owner has to deal with the consequences. I think most would rather just get a check than take the risks the owners take.

Mike, I concur on your reply to A in Reston, but your comment on fear being the opposite of love does not ring true for me. I have found from personal experience that the opposite of love is indifference. I feel the progression is love, hurt, anger, and then indifference. At least I find this to be so in personal relationships, for once a person becomes indifferent, no amount of reconciliation will mend the break. Anger means there is still a vested interest of emotion or passion in the relationship. In reference to the above quote, most people are willing to give up some of their freedoms for the convenience of whatever they receive in return, not realizing that it is a slippery slope which will continue to erode other more dear freedoms. I don't agree with Freud on people being frightened of responsibility. I think it is a matter of laziness. But by the time realization sets in, they are feeling the pinch of restrictions and nothing can be done about it. Modern man has become too soft. Wonder where Waffler is tonight?

I am in total agreement with Carol in her analogy of the progression angle. The opposite of love is indifference as I've experience this with the loss of friends this year over political indifference. And I agree that we've become a pitifully lazy nation. L.P., Kirkland, WA "In a time of deciet, telling the truth is a revolutionary act." (George Orwell)

Carol, excellent thought.

excellent

How true this is concerning addictions too.