posted on Aug, 3 2008 @ 11:38 PM
reply to post by StefanO
People are only as free as they act. In all forms of government, freedoms are limited to various extents -- some moreso than others.
But the vast majority of people self-limit their freedoms even more than the law requires. For example, the 'political correctness' you mention,
with regard to freedom of choosing how to express yourself. Such self-limitation is not always a bad thing -- creating societal norms ('polite
behaviour') helps people reliably interact with and trust one another.
And choice can always be discouraged in society, but the freedom is still there, should one choose to express it. You may have to assert yourself,
and stand up to bullies who would expect different behaviour from you, but that's not illegal.
So, perhaps instead of asking 'Where
can you really speak your mind?", you should ask "Where
would you really speak your mind?"