[hux_]

American beliefs about their freedom are just that - BELIEFS.

The underlying implication ALWAYS is the Chinese and Singaporeans or whoever can't think for themselves about what is good for their societies and therefore need American moral guidance and leadership.

This is the same tactic the British/French/Spanish etc used to justify colonization. They needed a reason cause by the 18th century, most of the local population had begun to wonder why their kids needed to get shipped off to get killed all over the planet.

Read the views of an Indian or and African or a Brazilian visiting Singapore from more unstable homelands and see what their views are on surveillance is.

Or better still pick up last month's natgeo on global happiness and ask yourself why Singapore tops the happiness index in Asia despite the surveillance. There is no one size fits all cultures solution to social problems.

[nate_meurer]

Oh really, just beliefs?

Is it merely my "belief" that I can publicly criticize our government in whatever way I want (short of threats) without fear of government reprisal?

Is it merely my belief that no transaction with any bureaucracy, government or otherwise, has ever required me to pay a bribe, and that being asked for one would be offensive and probably just inconceivable to any American?

Your defense of authoritarian regimes is a simple-minded rehash of "at least the trains ran on time". There's nothing clever or new about it; for all of history depots have used safety and convenience to justify stripping people of basic human rights.

[taobility]

You would also worry about be shoot when you walk on the street at night. You would also worry be bombed when you attend some concert, taking subway. Yes, you have your choice, and the other people also have their choice.

[nate_meurer]

There are some places in the U.S. where the violent crime rate is high by international standards. I've been to some of them, and while I'm happy (and fortunate) not to live there, I've never been afraid of being shot. Not even at night.

Your mention of the concert thing made me laugh. No, I'm not worried about being bombed at a concert. I'm far more likely to be struck by lightning.

I understand the necessity of safety. But safety is not incompatible with freedom from state oppression, and it's beyond tragic that so many people let their governments convince them that it is.

[nyolfen]

>This is the same tactic the British/French/Spanish etc used to justify colonization.

this is a little tired. you can say this to literally any criticism of a developing nation.