USA is far less free in 2010 than 2003.
Today I read that FreedomHouse [1] reported that there is slightly less freedom in the world than last year. I read their data and did not find the facts they presented compelling. However, one thing did leap out at me: an error.
They claim according to their survey methods that freedom in the USA has increased, both between 2003-2007 and 2007-2011. Considering election frauds perpetrated by Acorn [2], Obamacare, car care, bank bailout care, the banning of lightbulbs, the increased powers authorized to the FDA, etc. I think they are missing the big picture.
Given their methdology [3], here are my notes on the period from 2003-2011.
POLITICAL RIGHTS
A. Electoral Process
1,2,3. ... free and fair elections? GRADE=B- There is fear about this where there never used to be. WAS=A.
B. Political Pluralism and Participation
1. ...is the system open to the rise and fall of these competing parties or groupings? GRADE=D, WAS=C. Third parties do not stand a chance. Reagan debated a third party, now that cannot happen.
2. Is there a significant opposition vote... GRADE=B no change.
3. Are the people's political choices free from domination by the military, foreign powers, totalitarian parties, religious hierarchies, economic oligarchies, or any other powerful group? = WRONG QUESTION, omits government omnipresence. REWORD, TODO.
4. Do cultural, ethnic, religious, and other minority groups = WRONG QUESTION.
C. Functioning of Government
1. Do freely elected representatives determine the policies of the government? GRADE=A, no change.
2. Is the government free from pervasive corruption? GRADE=B, WAS=A-.
3. Is the government accountable to the electorate between elections, and does it operate with openness and transparency? GRADE=E, WAS=D. Thousands of pages of impenetrable omnibus bills passed with only an hour or so of “reading”. I can say with certainty government is not open.
CIVIL LIBERTIES
D. []TODO
D. Freedom of Expression and Belief
1. Are there free and independent media and other forms of cultural expression?
(Note: in cases where the media are state-controlled but offer pluralistic points of view, the survey gives the system credit.)
2. Are there free religious institutions, and is there free private and public religious expression?
3. Is there academic freedom, and is the educational system free of extensive political indoctrination?
4. Is there open and free private discussion?
E. Associational and Organizational Rights
1. Is there freedom of assembly, demonstration, and open public discussion?
2. Is there freedom of political or quasi-political organization? (Note: this includes political parties, civic organizations, ad hoc issue groups, etc.)
3. Are there free trade unions and peasant organizations or equivalents, and is there effective collective bargaining? Are there free professional and other private organizations?
F. Rule of Law
1. Is there an independent judiciary?
2. Does the rule of law prevail in civil and criminal matters? Are police under direct civilian control?
3. Is there protection from police terror, unjustified imprisonment, exile, or torture, whether by groups that support or oppose the system? Is there freedom from war and insurgencies?
4. Is the population treated equally under the law?
G. Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights
1. Is there personal autonomy? Does the state control travel, choice of residence, or choice of employment? Is there freedom from indoctrination and excessive dependency on the state?
2. Do citizens have the right to own property and establish private businesses? Is private business activity unduly influenced by government officials, the security forces, or organized crime?
3. Are there personal social freedoms, including gender equality, choice of marriage partners, and size of family?
4. Is there equality of opportunity and the absence of economic exploitation?
[1] The PDF map showing change in freedom and the links to the article and report.
On January 13, Freedom House hosted event to launch the findings of Freedom in the World 2011, its annual survey of global political rights and civil liberties. According to the findings, 2010 was the fifth consecutive year in which global freedom suffered a declinethe longest period of setbacks for freedom in the nearly 40-year history of the report.
The Complete Guide to ACORN Voter Fraud
They register dead people. But that's not all.
October 14, 2008 - by Jim Hoft
Methodology ; see the Checklists at the end of the long page.
POLITICAL RIGHTS AND CIVIL LIBERTIES CHECKLIST
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