Political Freedom

Earlier I discussed the basic level of freedom through the words of the crazy French existentialist/socialist Jean-Paul Sartre. But as I drove into work today I was listening to some other philosopher and a radio talking about republicanism. His position was that in a republic to be free is to not have master - a person or otherwise (i.e. a corporation or other organization) to prevent you from doing what you do. That is, so long as what you desire to do does not interfere with the freedom of others as is the case when you become a master.

This made me think of the current state of the U.S. Do we truly live up to the principle? Have corporations become so large that they have become our masters in place of the fuedal lords? Can we be free when we deny citizens the right to pursue their version of happiness simply because it does not fit our view of happiness, as I see being the case in gay marriage?

I need more time to ponder these questions among others. But, if I have any readers (and my traffic log says that generally there are none) maybe you'd like to give your two cents to these questions as I write a longer treatise on the subject.

p.s. I was suddenly reminded of Nietzche's master/slave morality...I must look back over that it might be relevant.

Hillary Clinton..

Hillary blah blah blah, Hillary Clinton blah blah blah.....

That is all I hear. Most everyone I know hates Sen. Clinton but no one can seem to tell me why. Personally, I'm not going to vote for her as I don't think she is the best person for the nation at the moment.

But please, someone, tell me why she is so evil. Is it because she is a powerful and smart women? Is is because she kept the family together when Bill was having fun with young interns? Is it some policy position she holds? What exactly is it about her that is so bad?