{"id":11290,"date":"2025-08-02T17:53:58","date_gmt":"2025-08-02T21:53:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/the-myth-of-american-freedom\/"},"modified":"2025-08-02T17:53:58","modified_gmt":"2025-08-02T21:53:58","slug":"the-myth-of-american-freedom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/the-myth-of-american-freedom\/","title":{"rendered":"The Myth of American Freedom"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<p>I\u2019ve just returned from a two-week road trip across America with my kids\u2014a journey that rekindled my deep love for this country\u2026 and also stirred a quiet ache I couldn\u2019t ignore.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>We didn\u2019t stick to the usual tourist spots. Sure, we saw the Statue of Liberty and wandered through New York and Boston.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>But we also went deep into the heartland\u2014driving across South Dakota, visiting the cowboy town of Cody, WY, camping under the stars in Yellowstone, standing beneath Mount Rushmore, watching small-town rodeos, and even learning to shoot guns.<\/p>\n<p>It was beautiful. Awe-inspiring. A window into the raw soul of this nation.<\/p>\n<p>One morning, I was about to post a photo of my kids and me standing under the American flag\u2014captioned <em>\u201cThe Land of the Free.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>But my thumb hovered. Because something inside me whispered, <em>That\u2019s not entirely true anymore<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>And that\u2019s what today\u2019s email is about.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s about freedom\u2014what it really means, why it\u2019s vanishing, and why we should all be concerned. Not just Americans, but all of us.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1748\" height=\"980\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2025\/07\/22ea62f1-vishen-and-his-family-in-the-us.webp\" alt=\"Vishen and his children in the US\" class=\"wp-image-78093\" srcset=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2025\/07\/22ea62f1-vishen-and-his-family-in-the-us.webp 1748w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2025\/07\/22ea62f1-vishen-and-his-family-in-the-us-768x431.webp 768w, https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2025\/07\/22ea62f1-vishen-and-his-family-in-the-us-1536x861.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1748px) 100vw, 1748px\"\/><\/figure>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-where-does-america-actually-rank-in-freedom\">Where does America actually rank in freedom?<\/h2>\n<p>I was shocked to learn that America no longer ranks in the top 10 freest countries in the world.<br \/>In fact, not even the top 15.<\/p>\n<p>According to the <strong>2024 Human Freedom Index<\/strong>, <strong>America ranks #17<\/strong>\u2014and it\u2019s still falling.<br \/>Recent events, growing surveillance, media consolidation, and the erosion of civil rights are accelerating the decline.<\/p>\n<p>Many experts now warn: the U.S. is <strong>on the brink of autocracy<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Why do Northern European and select Asian countries consistently outrank America in freedom?<\/p>\n<p>Because they have:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Strong protections for civil liberties<\/li>\n<li>Public education systems that teach critical thinking<\/li>\n<li>Universal healthcare that actually works<\/li>\n<li>Transparent governance<\/li>\n<li>Independent media (not owned by six conglomerates)<\/li>\n<li>Smart regulation that keeps corporate influence in check<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Meanwhile, America continues to erode its democratic foundations.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s break it down\u2014with four global indexes that reveal the full picture.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-human-freedom-index\">#1: Human Freedom Index<\/h3>\n<p>Measured by the Cato Institute and Fraser Institute.<br \/>This combines personal freedom (speech, religion, and movement) with economic freedom (property rights and regulatory fairness).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top countries<\/strong>: Switzerland, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Estonia<br \/><strong>America?<\/strong> <strong>Ranked #17<\/strong>\u2014tied with the UK.<\/p>\n<p>Why?<br \/>Because of increasing political polarization, declining rule of law, and growing restrictions on bodily autonomy and protest rights.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-press-freedom-index\">#2: Press Freedom Index<\/h3>\n<p>Measured by Reporters Without Borders.<br \/>Evaluates media independence, transparency, and journalist safety.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top countries<\/strong>: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands<br \/><strong>America?<\/strong> <strong>Ranked #57.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Why?<br \/>Because six corporations own 90% of U.S. media.<br \/>Because cable networks profit from division.<br \/>Because journalists are threatened and discredited.<br \/>Because truth is no longer profitable.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-democracy-index\">#3: Democracy Index<\/h3>\n<p>Published by The Economist Intelligence Unit.<br \/>Measures the electoral process, civil liberties, political culture, and government function.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top countries<\/strong>: Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland<br \/><strong>America?<\/strong> Labeled a <strong>\u201cflawed \u201ddemocracy<\/strong>\u201d\u2014currently around <strong>#28<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>The country that once exported democracy\u2026 now struggles to protect its own.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-internet-freedom\">#4 Internet Freedom<\/h3>\n<p>Measured by Freedom House.<br \/>Assesses censorship, surveillance, and digital expression.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top countries:<\/strong> Iceland, Estonia, Canada<br \/><strong>America? Not even in the top 10<\/strong>\u2014and declining.<\/p>\n<p>Why?<\/p>\n<p>Policies like requiring visa applicants to hand over social media accounts are undermining digital privacy \u2014 and global trust in U.S. tech.<\/p>\n<p>Each index tells the same story:<\/p>\n<p><strong>America is falling behind.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-so-what-does-this-tell-us\">So what does this tell us?<\/h3>\n<p>The idea that America is the freest nation on Earth does not hold up against the four global freedom indices.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s a myth\u2014one we must lovingly but urgently dismantle if we are to build something better.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-real-freedom-actually-looks-like\">What real freedom <em>actually<\/em> looks like<\/h2>\n<p>Real freedom isn\u2019t fireworks and an anthem.<br \/>It\u2019s not red, white, and blue\u2014it\u2019s <strong>truth, agency, and dignity.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Here\u2019s what real freedom looks like in a modern, awakened society:<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-real-freedom-means\"><strong>Real freedom means\u2026<\/strong><\/h3>\n<p><strong>Freedom from fear<br \/><\/strong>You can walk down the street without fearing bullets, badges, or bills.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom to learn truthfully<br \/><\/strong>Your education isn\u2019t censored by political agendas or banned books.<\/p>\n<p>Freedom to heal<br \/>You can access affordable, evidence-based healthcare\u2014without bankrupting your family.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom to vote\u2014and have it count<br \/><\/strong>Your voice isn\u2019t silenced by gerrymandering, voter suppression, or money in politics.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom of thought<br \/><\/strong>Algorithms don\u2019t control your beliefs. You think for yourself\u2014not how the algorithm trained you to.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom to be who you are<br \/><\/strong>Regardless of your race, gender, sexuality, faith, or background\u2014you\u2019re treated with dignity, not suspicion.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom online<br \/><\/strong>The internet is a tool for empowerment, not surveillance, manipulation, or corporate censorship.<\/p>\n<p>Freedom to roam<br \/>You can travel, work, and live across borders without bureaucratic chains\u2014as a citizen of the Earth.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom to rise\u2014together<br \/><\/strong>Economic mobility is real. Success isn\u2019t reserved for the zip code you were born into.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom from war<br \/><\/strong>You don\u2019t have to fund invasions while schools crumble and families go hungry.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s what freedom looks like.<br \/>Not something you claim.<br \/><strong>Something you create.<\/strong><\/p>\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-but-here-s-what-americans-still-aren-t-free-from\">But here\u2019s what Americans still aren\u2019t free from\u2026<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Freedom from poisoned food<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Michelle Obama planted vegetables. Conservatives shouted, <em>\u201cYou\u2019re taking away our freedom!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Now RFK Jr. echoes the same message\u2014and it\u2019s patriotic.<\/p>\n<p>The hypocrisy is wild.<\/p>\n<p>But at least now both sides agree: America\u2019s food system is broken.<\/p>\n<p>Americans now die five years younger than their European counterparts.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom from gun terror<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>You want a handgun? Fine. A hunting rifle? Cool.<br \/>But why the hell are AR-15s on the streets?<br \/>Kids are doing active shooter drills in kindergarten.<br \/>That\u2019s not freedom. That\u2019s national PTSD.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom from mass incarceration<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>America is 4% of the world\u2019s population, but holds 20% of the world\u2019s prisoners.<br \/>Over 1% of Americans are behind bars.<br \/>Private prisons profit. Minorities suffer.<br \/>Land of the free\u2026 unless you\u2019re poor, Black, or unlucky.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Freedom for your vote to actually count<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Wyoming: 580,000 people. California: 39 million.<br \/>Same number of senators. That\u2019s not democracy\u2014that\u2019s dilution.<br \/>And Puerto Rico?<br \/>3 million American citizens.<br \/>No vote in Congress. No vote for president.<br \/>How? Puerto Ricans are American citizens. They just don\u2019t get to vote.<br \/><em>Make it make sense.<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-so-what-if-we-flipped-the-script\">So what if we flipped the script?<\/h2>\n<p>Young Americans chant: <em>Free Gaza. Free Palestine. Free Cuba. Free Iran.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>But what if we said: <strong>Free America.<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Free America from propaganda disguised as news.<\/li>\n<li>Free America from the grip of Rupert Murdoch.<\/li>\n<li>Free America from billionaires who can buy elections.<\/li>\n<li>Free America from a system where corporations are people, but people are disposable.<\/li>\n<li>Free America from mass shootings\u2014and the 25+ million assault rifles still circulating.<\/li>\n<li>Free America from the impact of foreign lobbies, like the Israel lobby, which spends over $100 million\/year influencing U.S. politicians.<\/li>\n<li>Free America from racism disguised as patriotism.<\/li>\n<li>Free America from cruel policies that tear undocumented families apart.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But mostly\u2026<\/p>\n<p>Free America from the <strong>illusion<\/strong> of freedom.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Because here\u2019s the truth:\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><strong>When America is free\u2026 Gaza will be free. So will the world.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>When America sneezes, the world catches a cold. And we, the rest of the world, are sick of suffering the consequences.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-this-isn-t-about-red-vs-blue\">This isn\u2019t about red vs. blue<\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s about truth vs. illusion.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s about reclaiming what \u201cfreedom\u201d really means\u2014beyond slogans, beyond partisanship, beyond the BS.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>And it starts with us\u2014speaking up, seeing clearly, and refusing to settle for myth over meaning.<\/p>\n<p>In love, the American spirit of rebellion, and deep respect for what this amazing country <em>could still become<\/em>,<\/p>\n<p><strong>\u2014 Vishen<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>I\u2019d love to hear your thoughts. <strong>Leave a comment below<\/strong>\u2014tell me what freedom means to you, what you\u2019re standing for, or what this stirred in you.\u00a0<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-next-join-us-live-at-mindvalley-x-this-aug-9-2025\">Next: Join us live at <em>Mindvalley X<\/em> this Aug 9, 2025\u00a0<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Our last AI Summit brought together 160,000 attendees. Now, we\u2019re doing it again.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>This time: a one-day, global event with our best Mindvalley teachers delivering TED-style talks\u201420 minutes each\u2014packed with new ideas for 2025 and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>From longevity and AI to conscious entrepreneurship and emotional mastery\u2014this summit is your invitation to the <em>next evolution of you.<\/em><\/p>\n<p>And it\u2019s free to attend from anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mindvalley.com\/x?utm_source=blog_vlnl_jul29&amp;utm_campaign=launch_mvx_july_2025&amp;utm_content=content_VLNL&amp;utm_medium=lp&amp;otag=blog_vlnl_jul29&amp;otag=launch_mvx_july_2025\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Reserve your spot now.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Because the future isn\u2019t waiting.<br \/>And neither should we.<\/p>\n<p>Let\u2019s grow together.<br \/>Let\u2019s rise as one.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/storage.googleapis.com\/mv-prod-blog-en-assets\/2024\/12\/99dc1d9d-vishen_signature.webp\" alt=\"Vishen Lakhiani signature\" class=\"wp-image-76162\" style=\"width:280px\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/hop.clickbank.net\/?affiliate=infohatch&amp;vendor=J1R2C\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-10614 aligncenter\" src=\"http:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png\" alt=\"Profit Gen\" width=\"400\" height=\"217\" srcset=\"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px.png 400w, https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/profit-gen400px-300x163.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/a><br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I\u2019ve just returned from a two-week road trip across America with my kids\u2014a journey that rekindled my deep love for this country\u2026 and also stirred [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":11291,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-happiness"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=11290"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11290\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/11291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=11290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=11290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parmaks.com\/Resources\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=11290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}