[BrandonMarc]

In the US, getting involved with or simply persuasively discussing politics (usually) won't get you harassed, intimidated [1], thrown in jail, or "disappeared". It's quite possible people in Russia refrain from such activities because they're either smart or afraid.

[1] unless your name is Catherine Engelbrecht: https://www.google.com/search?q=catherine+engelbrecht

[Zigurd]

Americans should be more cautious about claiming a true qualitative advantage over places where political involvement could be considered futile.

[MysticFear]

You do realize that African Americans faced similar obstacles, but were still politically involved to gain rights. Abortionists and gay people were as well. Both faced physical threats. Being imprisoned was the case for African Americans during the 60s-70s.

[Zigurd]

If Gilens and Page are right and it is true that the will of the people is observed only in cases that do not matter to the rich and powerful, then all that work to gain voting rights was, in fact, futile.

The US has a closely managed "democracy." We vote. But it has about as much effect as the button at crosswalks. We can state our opinions, but they are monitored closely enough to chill fundamental change. Would you call that actual freedom?

[MysticFear]

chill fundamental change: Women's right to vote, African American right to vote, 16 constitutional amendments, legalization of drugs in many states, marriage for gay people in many states, abolition, abolishing abolition, end of Vietnam war, etc, etc.

Just because you view of fundamental change is different, doesn't mean we haven't made fundamental changes. Making changes this broad should take a long time.

So, yes we do have actual fundamental freedom.