The Fight for Freedom: A Dad’s Perspective 

Elections & Politics #148 | By: Morgan Davidson | October 24, 2024

Featured Photo: govexec.com

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“Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States where men were free.”
– Ronald Reagan 

One of the key components of Kamala Harris’ campaign is the effort to reclaim the meaning of the word “freedom.” This concept has been foundational throughout American history, yet over time, the focus on what it means has shifted. In an era marked by growing polarization, “freedom” has become whatever political elites want it to mean. Many Americans, in turn, have converged on their preferred side’s interpretation of this powerful and sacred word. 

At its most basic level, freedom means having control over one’s life without undue impediment. However, freedom also carries personal responsibility, encapsulated by principles like the Golden Rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” We have the right to life, but we also have the responsibility not to infringe on others’ lives. So, where do we draw the line between individual freedoms and collective responsibility, particularly in the realm of politics and government? 

Republicans often claim to be the party of freedom and liberty, but is this claim accurate? They view Democrats as the party of big government, equating liberalism with socialism, communism, or Marxism. But this is a misrepresentation. A liberal, in ideological terms, supports individual rights and democracy. Does either party hold a monopoly on the word “freedom”? Or do Democrats have a case as the true defenders of freedom, particularly when Republican policies start to legislate morality and limit individual autonomy? After all, no one would want to live under a theocratic regime like the Taliban’s, so why should Americans be subjected to laws that impose one particular moral framework? 

This brief explores the contradictions between the Republican Party, especially under Trump, and the conservative principles of limited government and individual freedom. 

“He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”
– Jesus in John 8:7 

Analysis 

“Religious institutions that use government power in support of themselves and force their views on persons of other faiths, or of no faith, undermine our civil rights.”
– Thomas Jefferson 

Heading into this election, abortion is a key issue, sparking debates over legality, exceptions, and timelines. These conversations will undoubtedly drive voters from both sides to the polls. I come from a family that faced this deeply personal decision when doctors advised that my youngest brother, due to medical concerns, might not survive, suggesting abortion as an option. Thankfully, my brother was born healthy 14 years ago. 

Now, as a prospective father living in Texas, my wife and I no longer have the options that were available to my parents. While we both desperately want to be parents, my commitment to my wife’s health and well-being means that decisions regarding her pregnancy should remain between us and our doctors, not politicians like Governor Abbott, President Trump, or the Supreme Court. Under Roe v. Wade, that was our freedom. But post-Dobbs, the reality in Texas has changed. 

I’m not here to tell anyone how to feel about abortion, but I am asking for the right to make decisions in my home. Democrats stand for the freedom to choose, especially in cases of rape, incest, or life-threatening pregnancies. On the issue of abortion, Democrats are the party of freedom because they allow families like mine to make deeply personal choices, free from government interference. 

“The only freedom which deserves the name is that of pursuing our own good in our own way, so long as we do not attempt to deprive others of theirs, or impede their efforts to obtain it.”
– John Stuart Mill, On Liberty 

Gun violence is a growing epidemic in America, especially when it comes to school shootings. As a gun owner myself, I support the Second Amendment, but I also believe in common-sense gun laws. The debate over gun rights is not as simple as “no guns” versus “unlimited guns.” My freedom to own firearms should not infringe on the freedom of children to go to school safely. 

We already have laws restricting the types of firearms people can own (such as fully automatic weapons, grenades, and tanks), and yet I still legally own guns. The slippery slope argument—that any gun control will lead to the end of gun ownership—is a fallacy. Policies like background checks, red flag laws, and bans on high-capacity magazines or assault rifles could prevent tragedies like Uvalde without taking away lawful gun ownership. 

On the issue of gun rights, Democrats are pro-hunter, pro-child safety, and tough on criminals and the mentally unstable. Meanwhile, Republicans, by opposing even modest reforms, empower the very dangers that deprive us of our freedom to live, learn, and gather safely. 

“Taxes, after all, are dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organized society.”
– Franklin Roosevelt 

No political party can claim to be the “party of freedom” when it comes to taxes. The government, which we sustain through taxation, provides services we all rely on: roads, schools, defense, and countless other essential functions. The debate isn’t over whether taxes should exist but over who should bear the burden. 

Donald Trump’s tax cuts for billionaires disproportionately benefit the wealthy while leaving the rest of us to bear the brunt. Meanwhile, Kamala Harris and the Democrats propose raising taxes on those earning more than $250,000 individually or $500,000 as a family—taxes that will fund social programs that benefit the majority of Americans. 

I understand the frustration of increased taxes; my wife and I experienced it firsthand. But it’s important to recognize that this was in response to necessary stimulus measures during the pandemic, and we are better off economically than many other countries. It’s time for billionaires like Trump and Musk to pay their fair share. 

“We don’t have deficits because people are taxed too little. We have deficits because big government spends too much.”
– Ronald Reagan 

Neither party can escape criticism for excessive spending. While Ronald Reagan spoke about the dangers of big government, it was Bill Clinton who achieved a surplus. Every president, regardless of party, has increased spending. Calls to rein in reckless spending are redundant when Republicans refuse to replenish government funds through fair taxation. 

“Peace is not the absence of conflict, it is the ability to handle conflict by peaceful means.”
– Ronald Reagan 

In the realm of foreign policy, the 2024 election presents clear choices. Trump’s isolationist approach shrinks America’s global influence. While it may seem appealing to demand that other countries pay their fair share, this strategy allows our adversaries to grow unchecked. As the world’s leading democracy, the U.S. has a duty to protect and promote freedom abroad through trade, treaties, and investment. 

Retreating from global engagement would delight rivals like China and Russia. The Cold War taught us the value of maintaining alliances and projecting power abroad, even though it led to conflicts that are still scrutinized. While not without flaws, America’s international presence prevents the rise of authoritarian regimes. 

The Harris-Walz ticket champions a continuation of America’s role as a global force for democracy and freedom. In contrast, Trump’s policies would isolate us, weaken global stability, and ultimately harm American lives and freedoms. 

Conclusion

Kamala Harris and Tim Walz offer a path forward that preserves and strengthens American freedom—personal, political, and economic. The contradictions within the Republican Party, especially under Trump, show a departure from the conservative principles of limited government and individual liberty. I’m not here to tell you how to vote, but I urge you to consider which party truly upholds the freedoms that define us as Americans. 

Engagement Resources

• The Lincoln Project is a leading pro-democracy organization founded by Republicans — dedicated to the preservation, protection, and defense of democracy. https://lincolnproject.us/ 
• The Brennan Center for Justice: The Brennan Center provides research, advocacy, and litigation in support of democratic freedoms, focusing on voting rights, campaign finance reform, and the protection of civil liberties. It’s a nonpartisan group, but their work often challenges policies that restrict freedom and democracy. https://www.brennancenter.org/ 
• VoteVets: A progressive veterans’ organization, VoteVets focuses on holding politicians accountable, particularly regarding policies that impact veterans and national security. They promote a vision of freedom rooted in service to country and responsibility to fellow citizens. https://votevets.org/ 

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