The Freedom of Choice

Over the years we have seen our country evolve and change for the good, but, unfortunately sometimes for the bad. One thing that I see diminishing is the freedom of choice, one of the very basics that the United States of America was built upon. While our government is so busy enacting legislature on their concepts of morality, health, and religion (to name a few), they have lost sight of American individual choice. Now, don’t get me wrong, there are limits, and there are needs for government intervention, but as a country of freedom we must be able to compromise. We need to allow people to make a choice.

Abortion is an issue that isn’t really a publicized issue anymore. I can tell you, though, that it is still an issue with many Americans. How can a government leader boast support for freedom of choice but enforce in another direction because of their own beliefs? It’s a fine line but I see it very simply. It is possible to not support abortion but to support the choice of every American woman to make her own decision in the matter. Politics make our leaders choose otherwise because the way they look to their peers is more important than the choice of Americans.

Let’s move to a more recent issue. An issue that is spreading all over our country… Smoking bans. As most Americans should be, I am for the best health of our citizens. I don’t want smoke around my kids, and I think that they shouldn’t have to be subjected to second-hand smoke. I can even see not allowing people to smoke in their vehicles when children are present. Children don’t have the legal power to remove themselves from situations like that. But, what about the private business owner? Should he be forced to conform to a smoking ban? My answer is no. I think if Americans want to a business owner to place a smoking ban on his business that his profits will reflect that. For example, since smoking bans are usually locally ordained, a local business owner will be able to see whether or not having a no smoking establishment better serves his customers or not. So, it should be his choice to sanction his own business and the government’s choice to their own.

With elections around the corner, healthcare, economy, war on terrorism, and securing our borders are very important issues that should be considered. Let’s take a look, as well, at not just where our candidates stand, morally and personally, but also how much they support the basic and most important right of every American… the freedom of choice.