I just had two drinks and this is way too philosophical for a Saturday night.

Americans are arguably the most free in world. Or is that just what we have been lead to believe? All my life I hear about "well at least we aren't in Soviet Russia." "Or kids in Africa are starving." While that may be the case. We are taxed and worked and extorted and threatened to death on a daily basis. Meaning we are far from what I would consider free. If you want to buy or sell or trade or open a business or fuel a vehicle or travel or marry or hunt or fish or grow vegetables or collect rainwater or own a pet or carry a firearm or watch tv or make a call or build on your own property or even exist you are taxed. And you are compelled to pay under threat of imprisonment or ultimately death.
Land Of The Free, Home Of The Brave
But you are right. Changing that attitude.............begins in ones own mind.
Once you are truly free. There is no going back.