In a recent column, I noted how Americans have lost numerous freedoms since George W. Bush became president. Of course, the reality of the situation is, the federal government has been increasingly encroaching upon the liberties of the American people for decades. Unfortunately, that trend only seems to be escalating. Now, a new report states that the U.S. is not even among the top ten freest economies.
According to the Heritage Foundation, "The United States is tied for 12th place with Switzerland in the 2005 Index of Economic Freedom. The world's second largest economy, Japan, ranks 39th in the survey. The United States has dropped out of the world's top 10 'freest economies.'"
The Heritage report also said, "Perhaps the greatest surprise in this year's index is the failure, for the first time, of the United States to make the top 10."
Most Americans would probably be stunned to hear that their country is not even among the top ten freest nations. However, this should not come as a surprise.
For all intents and purposes, neither major party in Washington, D.C., gives a flip about securing God-given liberties. Both Democrat and Republican administrations (including the current one) have consistently led the charge against the Bill of Rights.
Furthermore, Congress and a majority of federal courts have been trampling constitutional protections of our liberties for most of my adult life. Therefore, how can we be surprised to learn that the United States is no longer anywhere close to being "the land of the free" that it once was?
In fact, an American missionary to China recently told me that America's laws and regulations are, on the whole, more restrictive than the laws and regulations of Communist China. That is an astounding statement to make, but he insists that it is true!
Then again, when one considers the innumerable permits, fees, federal taxes, state taxes, local taxes, property taxes, assessments, zoning laws, land-use regulations, building codes, animal protection laws, environmental laws, ad nauseum, ad infinitum that are part of America's everyday life, it becomes easily apparent that the American dream has become an American nightmare!
America can only be "the land of the free" as long as it is also "the home of the brave." Unfortunately, bravery is one thing that appears to be absent from the character of most pastors, businessmen, fathers, and politicians today!
Until God raises up some modern day Patrick Henrys and John Witherspoons, it seems that the United States will continue its collapse into ever increasing servitude. Therefore, don't be surprised if when the next Heritage report comes out that America is not even among the top twenty freest nations on earth. The only surprising thing would be if anyone noticed.
© Chuck Baldwin
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