Quote: Abraham Lincoln

Abraham Lincoln:

As a nation, we began by declaring that 'all men are created equal.' We now practically read it 'all men are created equal, except negroes.' When the Know-Nothings get control, it will read 'all men are created equal, except negroes, and foreigners, and Catholics.' When it comes to this I should prefer emigrating to some country where they make no pretense of loving liberty – to Russia, for instance, where despotism can be taken pure, and without the base alloy of hypocrisy.

There are many places where the US claim to their devotion to freedom rings hollow. Mass incarceration. War on drugs. NSA and the surveillance state. Secret courts. Arrests without a trial. Guantanamo.

It would be easier to swallow if not for the self-righteous talk of freedom.

I think we've forgotten what that word means. It's become something we throw around to make ourselves feel good, but it's become devoid of meaning.