Freedom is the most important basic right a person in United States can posses, and the right most often expressed. Americans have four essential freedoms as stated by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. The first is freedom of speech and expression; the second is the freedom of every person to worship their god in his or her own way; the third is freedom from want; and the fourth is freedom from fear. Franklin Delano Roosevelt also said, "Freedom means the supremacy of human rights.".
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Freedom as described in the Merriam-Webster dictionary is the quality or state of being free, and a political right. Liberty, exemption, immunity, privilege, and right are all words related to freedom. Freedom is not servitude, restraint, slavery or necessity. Instead freedom is the ability to choose. For example, Americans have the right to elect government officials that will represent the wishes and beliefs of the people in the United States. Freedom is also the most important factor in seeking happiness, according to Ruut Veenhoven, a Dutch researcher on happiness. A nation that is truly happy and at peace, will form a nation of freedom. .
The freedom of speech and expression is exercised every day, especially by the press. Newspapers and News programs have the freedom to publish their opinions to the public; although everyone in America has the freedom to express themselves, they seldom put the effort into stating their opinions in an appropriate manner. Defamation of character, slander and blatant lies are all too frequently headlines in tabloids and on some television programs, mostly targeting celebrities and politicians. Every aspect of their life is made public, all to increase their ratings and/or profit. One important aspect of freedom is that when another persons" freedom begins, yours ends. If everyone would remember and abide by that rule, American, and the world would be a very harmonious place.
