Freedom is the most crucial idea in America.

We all cherish and support freedom, yet the very meaning of the word is disputed. Freedom means different things to different people, depending on their moral worldview.

Over time, our definition of freedom has been expanded to include a greater number of people, and our freedoms have expanded in a progressive direction.

We have seen an expansion of citizen participation and voter rights, the expansion of opportunity, the expansion of worker rights, and the expansion of public education.

All of these have helped to expand freedom for a greater number of Americans.

What radical Republicans aim to do is reverse many of these hard-won gains and go back to the time before these progressive freedoms were established.

They want to conserve their own distorted version of freedom — a “freedom” that does not include many of the freedoms that have been expanded over the past centuries to include more people and more situations.

They want to undo voting rights, worker protections, civil rights and environmental protections — all essential to modern American freedom.
Their successful effort to undo Roe v. Wade after decades of trying attests to their zeal for rolling back women’s freedom.

So, what can be done? First, Democratic leaders must do a better job of speaking openly about what’s at stake: freedom. They must define the difference between Democratic and conservative versions of freedom, and explain why Democratic freedom is better for more people. https://www.axios.com/2022/12/12/wes-moore-josh-shapiro-patriotism-freedom
Democrats aim to steal GOP playbook on patriotism and freedom

"Freedom isn't telling women what they're allowed to do with their bodies," Shapiro said.

Axios
Gavin Newsom's campaign to reframe - and reclaim - freedom

A war of words over the most important idea in American politics

FrameLab

@georgelakoff One man’s freedom is another man’s oppression, in many cases.

Obviously no surprise when a business owner or millionaire only acknowledges freedom they gain when worker’s rights are lacking.

@georgelakoff America will not continue to be a democracy until the laws are applied equally to all. Allowing the rich to break the law with no consequences makes the US an authoritarian state.
@georgelakoff Great to see you on Mastodon. I agree, freedom is the defining issue and Democrats can do a better job of connecting freedom to core issues such as education, health care, jobs, the environment, gun control, and rebuilding democracy. I'm hopeful that #HakeemJeffries and his leadership team will speak to people through their values. Look forward to your thoughts on whether or not the new Dem leaders 'get' framing.
@georgelakoff and democracy lovers must fight for it the same way cons fight to oppress people they don't like!!
Please rewatch the House of Cards and realise that most Republican leaders and their voters are worse than Kavin Spacey’s Francis Underwood!!
This is a war, people!!!

@georgelakoff

I think there's two related issues.

One is a refusal to accept that freedoms/rights for others, matter.

The other is that freedoms come with degrees of responsibilities.
Some, like freedom from pain or hunger, carry very little; others, like free speech, carry a lot because of the dangers of abuse.

@georgelakoff
Too often, those who have tried to speak about general ideas like "freedom" are criticized for not addressing more specific "bread and butter" issues. When you're being told: "It's about the economy, stupid!" it can be hard to get enough energy to talk about Freedom.
@georgelakoff kind of amazing the Axios piece included Third Way (Oh, Axios. Never stop Axiosing) but missed the $15M #ProtectOurFreedoms campaign that progressive groups ran over the summer. And the group that led the media for it, which made this. https://youtu.be/W3L63oxsXQs
Freedom for All

YouTube
@georgelakoff Aren’t most ideas relative in nature? Depends on one’s perception.