Tibet is no longer an 'occupation' as far as I can see, any more than Hawaii is.
Does Canada occupy Quebec?
When did these stop being 'occupations'?
Iraq. Now that is an 'occupation' of another country.
Well put and fine post above too. Most people I know who beat the "Free Tibet" drum are woefully unaccquainted with the facts and history of the situation. For example...
Most people are unaware that under the Theocrats, serfs and slaves existed. Most people are unaware of Tibet's past as part of the Chinese state.
Kruel brought this up and I want to expand on it some: Really I think China's loosening of the reins pn Tibet around the turn of the century was more a factor of attacks on China by imperialist powers...prior to this, Tibet was really never considered that separate from China from my research...like you said the theocrats were stewards but paid homage to China and recognized the Emperor. This changed with imperialists took over. So in essence the PLA's "liberation" of Tibet, was a reclamation under different terms based on new Chinese ideologies.
It's worth chewing on these points before pointing the fingers at China and shouting "occupation!"
To play counterpoint: Hawai'i IS considered an occupation by several native Hawai'ians (there are some active sovereignty movements), and in essence the Hawai'ians have a much more valid beef. Hawai'i was NEVER part of the US before the monarchy was overthrown. Tibet has hundreds of years of history as part of China before the PLA rolled in and reclaimed it.
Also agreed. Also, why move toward democracy (Tyranny of the Majority as Aristotle put it)...it's not working so great for us right now. ;-)The US is a democracy? When did that happen?
You're right...we are technically a Republic. Which is funny to me since we tout democracy to whole-heartedly. We ain't one...it's funny.
BTW, China's emission standards are stricter than America.
So true. This country produces over 70% of greenhouse gases. China can't even hope to compete with our ability to choke out the motherf#~&ing sun.
I look away from America when selecting examples of democracy.
As for China, not a lot of people realize that the Communist party is managed by two factions, effectively they are two 'parties', the Beijing Party and the Shanghai party. The balance between these, and which one gains more control, have for a long time determined the direction taken in developing China, although ideologically they are more or less the same.
Sounds familiar.
4. "Yoga" groups don't brainwash people. Their children do not set themselves on fire in the middle of Tiananmen square. And don't even suggest that I know nothing about FG, I've met them in my hometown: Edmonton, Canada. And their spokesman was a mindless robot weakly spewing spun truths.
Fa Lun Gong is a bunch of f~*$ing retards...I'm totally serious. As someone who takes qi gong and the philsophies promoted by it, FLG is not only incredibly insulting, but also an obvious attempt at gaining political clout and monetary wealth. It's an awesome scam.
Also, the reasons for supressing groups like FLG are embedded DEEP in Chinese History. Many dynasties fell because of wacko-religious movements like this. The Yellow Scarves took down the Han. The White Lotus threatened the Ming and the Qing. The Boxers were a coffin nail in China's ability to rule itself (though their goal was the opposite ironically). Religious movement becomes open uprising real fast in China, which is why the government is so prickly about them. It's a lot more complicated problem than "BAD GOVERMENT OPPRESS RELIGIOUS GROUP."
I look away from America when selecting examples of democracy.
As for China, not a lot of people realize that the Communist party is managed by two factions, effectively they are two 'parties', the Beijing Party and the Shanghai party. The balance between these, and which one gains more control, have for a long time determined the direction taken in developing China, although ideologically they are more or less the same.
Sounds familiar.
Again, totally accurate and well put. Thanks Kruel.
The Dalai Lama himself admitted on a recent visit to germany that all was not well in Tibet prior to the Chinese invasion - as you said, serfdom, terrible standards of living. It surely was no Shangri-La.
But repression of religious feelings leads only to unrest. There are two Panshen Lamas presently - one found by the Tibetans, and one appointed by the chinese government. The Government Lama faced violent opposition in public - there is no point in trying to force a "false" Lama down the peoples throats.
I´m happy that our chancellor pointed out several problematic points with China on her recent visit - human rights, freedom of press, environment issues, copyright problems. (There was no hint at boycotting China or even reducing trade volume, rather the contrary.) Apparently, she managed to do so in a non-offensive manner - or perhaps it was tolerated because germany is an important trading partner, and the Chinese politeness does not allow to disagree publicly. My girlfriend tells from personal experience that chinese students are very polite and agree to everything in a talk, but they don´t necessarily do as they have been told. So, there seems to be a "public face" and a "private face" to the Chinese, and the two don´t necessarily correlate.
Stefan
Germany and China enjoy excellent relations because Germany, while still being insistent that China moves forward, has not judged them and has made every effort to help develop industry. If you ever come here, you will have a lot of friends, Stebehil.
I've traveled a lot and met a lot of other travelers, and I have the utmost respect for the Germans I've met. The most admirable thing I've noticed is that when German people come to China they try to learn as much Chinese as they can both before they come and while they are here.
As for the Chinese Lamas, I hope this is one area where we may see a change in the foreseeable (although not near) future. Control over religion is easing noticeably in developed areas of China and theologically Buddhism poses no threat to the government. Hopefully this easing will spread. I don't think that goes for cults, though.
Fa Lun Gong is a bunch of f~%%ing retards...I'm totally serious. As someone who takes qi gong and the philsophies promoted by it, FLG is not only incredibly insulting, but also an obvious attempt at gaining political clout and monetary wealth. It's an awesome scam.Also, the reasons for supressing groups like FLG are embedded DEEP in Chinese History. Many dynasties fell because of wacko-religious movements like this.
It kind of weird going from the FLG demonstrators outside the Chinese consulate in Vancouver and having people confront you with pictures of people in hospitals obviously beaten badly (who are they?), then walking into the consulate to see unobtrusively placed pamphlets inside the consulate with information on the banning of this cult. Anyone who gives an ear to the FLG should give an equal ear to the Chinese. I would also find some outside information from a cult watchdog group, there are a few.
Whoops, I didn't mean to make a real point! Just a snarky joke!
Go snark!
Germany and China enjoy excellent relations because Germany, while still being insistent that China moves forward, has not judged them and has made every effort to help develop industry. If you ever come here, you will have a lot of friends, Stebehil.
Thanks for the nice words, Kruelaid. Still, there are quite some prejudices against China in Germany - but this is probably not surprising. It is not very likely that I will visit China anytime soon, however - it is quite costly flying around half the world...
I've traveled a lot and met a lot of other travelers, and I have the utmost respect for the Germans I've met. The most admirable thing I've noticed is that when German people come to China they try to learn as much Chinese as they can both before they come and while they are here.
Well, if you are going to work there, it is sure a good idea to learn the language. Just for visiting China on vacation, it would be too much of an effort, and probably futile - you don´t learn a language like chinese from a few weeks exposition.
Stefan
If we're going to focus on China's strong points (and there are many) and justify away all its failures (and there are some of them even still that could be remedied--the point of the OP), then let's at least be clear that that's what we're doing. The U.S. has committed many atrocities. So has China. Nations are founded and run by men, and men are fallible. No nation is perfect. Let's call them even, then, rather than saying things like, "I won't even talk about how evil the U.S. is (proceeds to list 16 examples), because I don't need to because China is better and if you don't realize it it's because you're ignorant!"
The point that China is not "worse" than the U.S. is well-taken, but things are rapidly pushing far beyond that point, so that this is quickly becoming a PRC propaganda thread.
I'm no great supporter of current U.S. policies. But I do live here, and the U.S. thus far has given me a good life despite its many failings. My friends from China are of similar minds. Telling me that being aware of this is a sign of intolerable ignorance and stupidity is hardly likely to make me respect your point. I dislike fanatical nationalism--about ANY country.
Point well taken Kirth.
Believe me China has loads of problems, and while I do think it's a unique and impressive culture and place, I'm by no means trying to be a propagandist.
I just find a lot of critics of China are unaccquainted with a lot of facts about the place (thanks to our own country's propaganda). Just trying to put things into perspective, not trying to tout a little red book my man. Sorry if I made you feel otherwise.
America is an amazing place going through some really dark times in my opinion. We could be so much better than we are, and if I get down on our country it's because I feel we aren't reaching for the stars the way we should and could be. I love this country, even if I hate the current administration.
America is an amazing place going through some really dark times in my opinion. We could be so much better than we are, and if I get down on our country it's because I feel we aren't reaching for the stars the way we should and could be. I love this country, even if I hate the current administration.
You and I are in full agreement on all points there!
As a follow-up, and at the risk of creating a total threadjack, here are some things that concern me much more than moronic presidents or printing from China, to be totally honest (skip this if uninterested).
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I'm coming in late, but I would like to add that I try and buy as many US-made products as I can. It's getting harder and harder though. Almost all of the skateboard companies have moved to China, so every month I have to look through all the wood in the shop for that precious "made in USA" stamp in the wood. Although Mexico makes some good products and I would love it if we would send more work back and forth with our neighbors to the south. Just out of curiosity, is printing in Mexico expensive as well?
A lot of the supposed "labour-protection" that people want to introduce into developing countries is actually a form of trade protection by the back door - trying to place additional costs on them to price them out of the market. The "40c" point slightly passes the big issue by - people want to work in those factories for those wages because it beats the alternative - subsistence farming for probably even less. It might be seen as unfortunate in some places, but this actually represents progress. Developing counties should be allows to develop and expolit their resources in order to generate wealth for themselves and improve their standards of living. It annoys me slightly when people in developed countries would seem to want to close the door behind them and not let anyone else into the club, even if their motives are basically well-meaning.
My feeling is that we take this hunt for rock bottom pricing a few steps to far in many cases. I concede that something like safety standards can be raised to a point of diminishing returns but this works in reverse as well. There comes a point when trying to shave a few more pennies off a product can be done but only through increasingly dangerous work environments and increasingly callous behavior toward ones workers.
The problem with the current system is that it highly rewards the most obscene abuse because the consumers can't compare the working conditions of products made in China at X plant versus one made at Y plant. In fact we just get to compare prices and one product is 50 cents cheaper. The question then becomes how did they manage to shave an extra 50 cents off the product? If its better technology or a more devoted work force then I have no problem with it - if its by creating abdominal working conditions and throwing out the workers that get maimed in the process I have a real ethical issue.
Furthermore pressure from the consumers can have beneficial effects without destroying capitalism or the concept of gains in trade. I'm not sure how the fair trade coffee market works in Britain but here in Toronto I have switched to consuming almost nothing but fair trade coffee. At this point the quality is on par between fair trade and not fair trade coffee and the price tag is only fractionally higher. A pound of high quality non-fair trade coffee is about $14 Canadian while fair trade coffee of the same high quality is about $15. I'm more then willing to pay an extra buck for this product since I know that this dollar translates into far better working conditions and wages for the workers who feed my habit - and realistically an extra dollar just is not that meaningful to me and yet has a big impact at the other end.
Similarly the Better World Handbook recommends that customers shopping for sneakers strongly consider Nike as an ethical choice. That probably surprises those of us who remember the 1990s and the deep kamishee Nike was in over exploited workers in the third world. It would seem that consumer pressure and bad press caused Nike to change its policies to the point that they are now one of the market leaders in ensuring that their suppliers meets fairly stringent (for the third world) standards in terms of working conditions at their factories. My point is that consumer demands for some kind of half descent standards won't destroy modern capitalism - it does not even destroy those that implement descent standards - capitalism 'red in tooth and claw' is just not required to get us our coffee, sneakers, and probably most of the nik naks we so desire in the first world.
All of this being said I think Paizo is probably not really dealing with this sort of an issue. I ran a Google search of the Chinese publishing industry. I was not able to find anything really concrete but it looks like its a field dominated by fairly skilled workers in China's coastal cities. This is not really a demographic that is in deep need of our charity or oversight. Better to worry about labour abuse of unskilled workers in the interior.
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I posted above the reasons for why Chinese workers tend to be cheaper - less a function of nasty bosses and more a function of the economics of productivity. I heard somewhere that fair trade farmers get ripped off as much as the non-fair trade ones, though I can't source it. I suggest people stop breast-beating about an issue that is purely in Paizo's hands. If they didn't use Chinese workers, they could not afford to compete. In an age of international capital that is the bottom dollar. If people pull up the drawbridge on their national economies everyone loses - consumers pay more and the workers in China are out of a job. I don't see that as somehow a preferable alternative.
Do they even make anything in the U.S. anymore? I mean, look around your house at all those plastic nick nacks. It's all made in China. End of story.
They do. But not a whole lot.
Yankee Candles, for instance --> and also Partylite candles, actually.
I believe most KitchenAid appliances, especially their famous mixers, are still made in the US.
Again, not a whole lot, but some stuff still gets made in the US.
- Ashavan
Say whatever you like about China, but you have to admit; they have a lot of women.
I'm coming in late, but I would like to add that I try and buy as many US-made products as I can. It's getting harder and harder though. Almost all of the skateboard companies have moved to China, so every month I have to look through all the wood in the shop for that precious "made in USA" stamp in the wood. Although Mexico makes some good products and I would love it if we would send more work back and forth with our neighbors to the south. Just out of curiosity, is printing in Mexico expensive as well?
Man, you should see how skateboarding is taking off here. It's an Olympic thing.
Do they even make anything in the U.S. anymore?
I was made in the U.S.; my parents too (personally, I think my brother was only "assembled" domestically). If you look at the labels on my grandparents though, they say, "Product of Italy." Of course, that would mean you defiled their graves to get at the labels, but we're hypothesizing here anyhow...
RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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Well I've insufficient data to make any conjectures at this point, I do have a querry.
Isn't the damage to the reputation of Chinese products, asusming the majority of the US still pays attention to news that doesn't star Paris Hilton, going to force some of these changes that some of us advocate?
Well I've insufficient data to make any conjectures at this point, I do have a querry.
Isn't the damage to the reputation of Chinese products, asusming the majority of the US still pays attention to news that doesn't star Paris Hilton, going to force some of these changes that some of us advocate?
I doubt it.
For example with the toys, Hasbro (?) will make some PR to look good, the Chinese factories involved will find a scapegoat*, and no one will remember in 2008. And I'm only assuming it will stay that long in the public eye because the press will dredge it back up when the christmas season starts.
*I've already seen one AP article where the Chinese government blames Hasbro for faulty designs on ~75% of the recalls, where as Hasbro stands by their faulty manufacturing statements.
But in the end, the economics will trump all.
I am aware of no high-end Mexican printers. I'm sure there are several, but none that has made itself known to us.
As opposed to Indian printers, who email me every couple weeks.
--Erik
Sounds about right. In the segment of the printing/publishing industry I work in, the number of magazines, journals and other print products handled overseas (i.e. Asia/India vs. USA/Europe) is staggering. I'm talking about all levels of production, from layout and typesetting to binding and mailing.
The thing to remember is that many western publishers do not disclose the nationality of their business partners unless pressed to do so or required by law.
This is pretty pervasive throughout the industry. I'm just glad my company manages to keep as much product in-house and on our presses as possible.
Chief Creative Officer, Publisher
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Well I've insufficient data to make any conjectures at this point, I do have a querry.
Isn't the damage to the reputation of Chinese products, asusming the majority of the US still pays attention to news that doesn't star Paris Hilton, going to force some of these changes that some of us advocate?
I doubt it.
For example with the toys, Hasbro (?) will make some PR to look good, the Chinese factories involved will find a scapegoat*, and no one will remember in 2008. And I'm only assuming it will stay that long in the public eye because the press will dredge it back up when the christmas season starts.
*I've already seen one AP article where the Chinese government blames Hasbro for faulty designs on ~75% of the recalls, where as Hasbro stands by their faulty manufacturing statements.
But in the end, the economics will trump all.
Isn't it Mattel that's having all the Chinese production problems?
Hasbro is the beloved corporation that controld Dungeons & Dragons, not the evil lead-merchants.
--Erik
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Chief Technical Officer
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The thing to remember is that many western publishers do not disclose the nationality of their business partners unless pressed to do so or required by law.
Specifying country of origin is mandatory for items imported into the US for consumer sale. For books, magazines, or journals, you'll want to scan the title page for the country of origin of the printer.
Well I've insufficient data to make any conjectures at this point, I do have a querry.
Isn't the damage to the reputation of Chinese products, asusming the majority of the US still pays attention to news that doesn't star Paris Hilton, going to force some of these changes that some of us advocate?
I doubt it.
For example with the toys, Hasbro (?) will make some PR to look good, the Chinese factories involved will find a scapegoat*, and no one will remember in 2008. And I'm only assuming it will stay that long in the public eye because the press will dredge it back up when the christmas season starts.
*I've already seen one AP article where the Chinese government blames Hasbro for faulty designs on ~75% of the recalls, where as Hasbro stands by their faulty manufacturing statements.
But in the end, the economics will trump all.
Isn't it Mattel that's having all the Chinese production problems?
Hasbro is the beloved corporation that controld Dungeons & Dragons, not the evil lead-merchants.
--Erik
Oops. I guess I just associate Hasbro with bad PR right now, but thats just my geek-centric view of the universe after trying to read though the 4th ed threads ;-)
im at a conflicting state in this conversation. im a union electrician about to top out of my apprenticeship and have been fed brainwashing on a biweekly basis for four and a half years. most of which i whole heartedly believe. i dont shop at the token devil (walmart) i try to buy american made (if at all possible foreign owned american made, screw the over paid bloated execs who want bonuses and raises when their companies happen to do well but give nothing back but pink slips when things slide). on the other hand i listen to my mechanics complain and complain about how the cost of living is so high here we should be making more than locals in newyork, "west virginias local may take home less but their houses cost less. they make more than we do" (wash dc by the way) i have the same house they do and i double pay my morgage on a 15 yr note at only 70% what they make, i just dont have two harleys, a boat, and a f-350 duely to tow it all. as far as safty goes, i had to wait 30 mins for someone to go get me a harness so i could tie off before i climbed an 8ft ladder to drill one hole to support some wire. fallowing safty rules with out any regard for whether they are actually keeping you safe is stupid between the safty guys lost 30 mins and my time $60 was wasted so that if i fell off the ladder i would hang 6" off the ground instead of on my feet where i MIGHT have gotten a twisted ankle. and since none of this makes any sense anyway (way too tired to be typing right now) i work with guys that, when the topped out as skilled laborers, most less that 30 yrs ago, were only making $2 or $3 an hour and a car only cost $500 brand new. the other thing that floated through my head as i read all of your very well worded arguments that make me look the fool right now. when nike began making shoes over seas because american labor was just too much for them and the had to keep the cost down, they still raised the price of the shoe. i dont think any of that is a coherent statement either for or against, infact good luck making any sense of it. i think my tea cup is talking to me know. good night
why is this thread not allowing me to go to sleep. ::whines and pounds desk like an infant::first of all didnt know about the nike 180 (specifally avoid name brands). good for them though. second of all, i kind of disagree with kirths views on american politics, i find a lot of people getting so sick of the extremes they simply dont vote or choose sides<--real problem. third: there is a HUGE print factory opening here in Marylands panhandle soon, my sisters freind toured it as part of his construction votech class. so american printing must not be suffering to bad from its loss of paizo's millions. can i sleep now thread, PLEEEEAAASSSEEEE
If we're going to focus on China's strong points (and there are many) and justify away all its failures (and there are some of them even still that could be remedied--the point of the OP)....
The point that China is not "worse" than the U.S. is well-taken, but things are rapidly pushing far beyond that point, so that this is quickly becoming a PRC propaganda thread.
6. Miners. Sad and true. Work conditions in many industries in China are dangerous. You haven't even begun to touch on the problems China faces in improving the lives of its workers; many others will die slowly and painfully from diseases they acquire working and they have only universal health care as consolation. There is rarely compensation. Perhaps the solvent used to print Pathfinder will cause someone to suffer respiratory ailments. Why? There is little safety education here and many workers just don't seem to take it seriously. I can't figure it out. People have seat belts, the law requires them, yet they don't wear them. What gives?
7. China has so many other problems that you have not listed, it makes me wonder what your purpose is?
I too understand your concern Kirth, but I am not being a propagandist, I am trying to correct uninformed remarks that are largely a result of American propaganda.
Sorry to offend you. The US is a great country (something I have not said about China anywhere in this thread) and a model of many of the good things we have in the world today, and in fact I hold Americans to a very high standard of 'being informed' which is my own prejudice, one a lot of Americans might appreciate because they feel the same way. Thus, I tend to be pretty rough when my American friends say dumb stuff.
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why is this thread not allowing me to go to sleep. ::whines and pounds desk like an infant::first of all didnt know about the nike 180 (specifally avoid name brands). good for them though. second of all, i kind of disagree with kirths views on american politics, i find a lot of people getting so sick of the extremes they simply dont vote or choose sides<--real problem. third: there is a HUGE print factory opening here in Marylands panhandle soon, my sisters freind toured it as part of his construction votech class. so american printing must not be suffering to bad from its loss of paizo's millions. can i sleep now thread, PLEEEEAAASSSEEEE
Well, if you can't sleep, roll up a character real quick and join the game. :P
I too understand your concern Kirth, but I am not being a propagandist, I am trying to correct uninformed remarks that are largely a result of American propaganda. Sorry to offend you. The US is a great country (something I have not said about China anywhere in this thread) and a model of many of the good things we have in the world today, and in fact I hold Americans to a very high standard of 'being informed' which is my own prejudice, one a lot of Americans might appreciate because they feel the same way. Thus, I tend to be pretty rough when my American friends say dumb stuff.
Certainly no offense taken from you, Kruelaid; whatever else may be said, your posts are normally polite and typically show nice judgement and judicious usage. It was the general tenor of the thread that seemed about to blow out; I just wanted to rein it in a bit, as befits me being the paradoxical "I have extreme dislike for any other extreme views" guy. I'd hoped it was clear that I wasn't trying to take sides for one country against another; on the contrary, my whole point of view has been against doing the same... in favor or against any particular nation or culture.
P.S. I say other dumb stuff all the time. Please don't hesitate to call me on it!
Sigh who is this going to affect paizo????? after the Wil Wheaton disaster it makes me wonder.
Disaster? Have you seen the Maps of Mystery we got instead? Chris West's work is fantastic.
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Disaster? Have you seen the Maps of Mystery we got instead? Chris West's work is fantastic.
Oh don't get me wrong I [/b]loved Chris West's work !!![/b] but it just seems that when someone whines too loud many times it causes some changes. I wouldn't want paizo to suffer just because of someones childish rant, and Wil Wheaton bowing out is just one extreme example of that happening. Even though I realise that most peopel didn't mind the change, and the great work by Chris West went a long way to help the magazine, I just worry about the future when I see these tirades.
CJ
I am the Dread Pirate Roberts #73252—Ask about franchise opportunities in your area.
Oh don't get me wrong I loved Chris West's work !!! but it just seems that when someone whines too loud many times it causes some changes. I wouldn't want paizo to suffer just because of someones childish rant, and Wil Wheaton bowing out is just one extreme example of that happening. Even though I realise that most peopel didn't mind the change, and the great work by Chris West went a long way to help the magazine, I just worry about the future when I see these tirades.Disaster? Have you seen the Maps of Mystery we got instead? Chris West's work is fantastic.
To be fair, Paizo publicly supported Will Wheaton all the way, even after Will decided to stop writing Will Save. The same is true for Gygax's column.
In both cases, it wasn't Paizo that folded, but rather the authors (as far as I can tell anyway). I'm not sure a few whiners will force Paizo to take their printing operation elsewhere.
That's it! I'm gonna boycott if they don't move their printing to Belgium!
That's it! I'm gonna boycott if they don't move their printing to Belgium!
that would piss me off. But only because pathfinder would then have to be shipped several thousand miles to reach my house only a couple of miles away.
Best,Chairman Mao
:)
Ah...Chairman Mao...glad to hear you're still dead.
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RPG Superstar 2009 Top 32, 2010 Top 8
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just have to pop back in and point out a good example.
Races of Ansalon, harback, 240 pages, MSRP $45 Printed in USA
Classic Battletech, Total Warfare 312 pages MSRP $40 Printed in China, or at least overseas.
92 pages more, both licensed products with smaller print runs.
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Referring back to an earlier point, the United States is officially a 'Democratic Republic'. Like Congo. Or something.
In a republic, the people are represented by a governing body (like our Senate). In a democratic republic, the people get to choose their representative democratically.
And while I have many thoughts on the strengths and weaknesses of our current system of government, I do think that over the last 200+ years the United States has allowed a level of freedom only rivaled by anarchy, but without all the fear of getting murdered by your neighbor.
It has been great for many people in the world, and especially for the citizens of the United States.
To be clear, wikipedia disagrees with me. They define the United States as a Federal Constitutional Republic, and also as a Liberal Democracy. They seem to use the term democratic republic to mean countries that called themselves democratic republics, which were often not democratic, and often not republics.
Their final point - For example, "the United States relies on representative democracy, but [its] system of government is much more complex than that. [It is] not a simple representative democracy, but a constitutional republic in which majority rule is tempered by minority rights protected by law."[
I do think that over the last 200+ years the United States has allowed a level of freedom only rivaled by anarchy, but without all the fear of getting murdered by your neighbor. It has been great for many people in the world, and especially for the citizens of the United States.
Most especially for citizens now, because otherwise one can be declared an "enemy combatant" at the sole discretion of the president and be held indefinitely without trial. The U.S. preserved the right of habeas corpus for 200+ years (with a brief lapse, quickly struck down by the Supreme Court, during Lincoln's administration), but the current level of terror over terrorism seems to be eroding the level of freedom you describe.
Also, if you have experienced great freedom in the U.S., you've obviously never had to deal with a typical neighborhood association! ("This notice is to inform you that you have one (1) day to remove your basketball net. It is painted a half-shade differently from your house, and is therefore in violation of the neighborhood code; the string for the net isn't the proper grade of nylon, and it's therefore in violation, and in any event you're not allowed to keep an inflation pump in your garage, so we the committee fail to see how you're inflating the basketball...")
I wish I hadn´t asked in the first place...
If it makes you feel better, I am glad you asked.
We got a straight answer and that's enough for me.
But are the 1's and 0's in the pdfs also made in China? ;)