# Is it just me? \[losing freedom in the USA--edited title\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 4, 2014, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864 "2014-01-04T08:01:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kenm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/bc79bd/32.png) [@Kenm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kenm)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/21 "2014-01-04T17:43:48Z")
Maybe typing on a phone or a fondleslab. ---
**Author:** ![glee](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b5a626/32.png) [@glee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/glee)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/22 "2014-01-04T18:02:03Z")
> [@Sudapissed247](#): > > every day we lose more of the freedom we as americans are supposed to be thankful for (the american dream) … What freedom did you lose today? 😕 ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/23 "2014-01-04T18:10:25Z")
> [@Sudapissed247](#): > > every day we lose more of the freedom we as americans are supposed to be thankful for (the american dream) and please dont missunderstand i am not hateful nor angry that americans are slowly losing the status of we the people and home of the free our government regulates way more than ever intended and (we the people) have less freedom of choice,speech and oppinion. At what point do we say enough and take back our rights. I would realy like to hear others thoughts Unless English is not your first language, your incredibly poor writing ability speaks volumes. :dubious: ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/24 "2014-01-04T18:17:26Z")
When did we ever have the right not to be photographed in public? ---
**Author:** ![SpoilerVirgin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4491bb/32.png) [@SpoilerVirgin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpoilerVirgin)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/25 "2014-01-04T18:35:19Z")
Amazingly, in America we still have the freedom to join together and advocate for the laws we support. Had you thought about joining the [National Motorists Association](http://www.motorists.org/), which advocates for fair traffic laws, and opposes red light cameras? How about the [Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America](http://cqrcengage.com/aafa/pse), which supports patient access to pseudoephedrine? You can whine about lack of freedom on a message board, or you can try to get those laws changed. There’s no guarantee that your fellow Americans are going to agree with you, but you can still make your voice heard. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/26 "2014-01-04T18:38:20Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > When did we ever have the right not to be photographed in public? When we’re in the process of commiting an illegal act, of course. It’s the Fifth Amendment. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 6:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/27 "2014-01-04T18:48:43Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > As a Canadian, I’m glad I’m not subjected to such barbarian measures. > Although, to be honest I have no idea what you’re talking about. Some Canadian cities have red light cameras. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/28 "2014-01-04T19:39:49Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I can understand the OP’s SudaPhed gripe. My gf gets pseudophedrine responsive sinus headaches. She asked me to pick up a package for her one day and I was surprised at the regulations. As I finished my purchase I said, “Boy, after all that it’d be a waste _not_ to make meth with this!” > > Personally, I’d like to see victimless crimes taken off the books. Knowing the consequences, if someone wants to smoke meth I’m fine with that. If use of a drug leads to a real crime, then fine, prosecute. The only problem with meth though is that meth labs tend to blow up at times. I don’t care if you want to abuse it. I do care if doing so destroys my property. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 7:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/29 "2014-01-04T19:44:38Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > The only problem with meth though is that meth labs tend to blow up at times. I don’t care if you want to abuse it. I do care if doing so destroys my property. **But** , meth “labs” blow up at least in part as a consequence of the process being illegal. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/30 "2014-01-04T19:55:24Z")
I’ve changed the title of the topic to be a bit more specific about what the topic is about. ---
**Author:** ![joyfool](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/df788c/32.png) [@joyfool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/joyfool)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/31 "2014-01-04T20:11:16Z")
> [@Kenm](#): > > Maybe typing on a phone or a fondleslab. Eh, I post from my phone and can still be arsed to double tap the space bar to make a period at the end of a sentence. It doesn’t take _that_ long over the course of a post. But thanks for an attempt to explain. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 10:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/32 "2014-01-04T22:22:43Z")
> [@Sudapissed247](#): > > Heres a few of my issues. Cameras at intersections taxes paid to place them and now we get a picture of our tag and fines that are outragouse my county has voiced our dislike for paying 150 for running the light 60 to reset the camera 30 to develope the pics and 30 to reset the flash its a bogus way to screw the citizens and now that tickets are on auto pilot what do we pay the local law enforcement for I would rather see the local police concentrating on more serious crime and leave traffic enforcement to the cameras. $150 seems a little high for running a red light, but not so much so as to constitute the encroachment of a police state. But in general, I don’t see much difference between posting a police officer at an intersection, and having a traffic camera at the same intersection. Except the camera is more efficient for that specific task. YMMV, so to speak. The restrictions on Sudafed are silly, but again, not enough to trigger any fears of a police state. Maybe it’s because meth labs are not a big problem where I live. Look on the bright side - Coloradoans can now get baked. Maybe the Nazis are taking over, but at least they are mellow Nazis! Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![aruvqan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aruvqan/32/2891_2.png) [@aruvqan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aruvqan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/33 "2014-01-04T23:32:40Z")
> [@Sudapissed247](#): > > That doesnt make it ok to lable me because aside from my sinus problems my 12year old son and 14 year old daughter also were cursed with allergies so inevitably i am always to the very limit allowed which in my town is considered priority watch list. . So get your doctor to _prescribe_ the decongestants to your family. You actually can have a written prescription for what are traditionally nonprescription items. That way once a month you go to your regular pharmacy and request your monthly refills for each person by name and prescription number. You get the full required amount of decongestants for your family, and no paranoia needed because it is prescripted and legal. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2014, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/34 "2014-01-04T23:39:03Z")
> [@Shodan](#): > > But in general, I don’t see much difference between posting a police officer at an intersection, and having a traffic camera at the same intersection. Except the camera is more efficient for that specific task. YMMV, so to speak. A police officer can identify the driver, may fail to appear in court, and is subject to cross examination if he does. A camera can’t identify the driver–in states with rear tags only, such as mine. A camera can’t be cross examined, and is unlikely to fail to appear. From a defense point of view, cameras suck. ---
**Author:** ![cochrane](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cochrane/32/10441_2.png) [@cochrane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cochrane)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 12:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/35 "2014-01-05T00:07:19Z")
> [@faithfool](#): > > Eh, I post from my phone and can still be arsed to double tap the space bar to make a period at the end of a sentence. It doesn’t take _that_ long over the course of a post. But thanks for an attempt to explain. Not only that, the first letter of the word beginning the next sentence is also automatically capitalized. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/36 "2014-01-05T00:13:49Z")
> [@Roderick\_Femm](#): > > OP: who are you going to take your rights back from? The other voters in your county/state/country who apparently voted for the elected representatives who passed these laws? Yes, I agree that our government, especially in the “war on drugs”, is doing unconscionable things, but the voters support those actions. The notion of “taking back our rights” is idiotic unless there is no peaceful recourse, which of course there is: convince your fellow citizens to vote for representatives who agree with you. Your kind of whining is just wanking. Perhaps the OP should be pointed to that thread about what it would take to overthrow the US government. Perhaps he would make critical mass. > [@John\_Mace](#): > > When did we ever have the right not to be photographed in public? I believe it is enshrined in the Constitution. Somewhere in Article III, if memory serves. Ya know, the OP’s writing style seems just a tad familiar. Or is it just me? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tim_r.mortiss/32/142_2.png) [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_R.Mortiss)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 12:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/37 "2014-01-05T00:17:09Z")
I hate it when someone posts something I agree with, but they are so illiterate about it that I’m ashamed to admit that I agree with them in any way. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 12:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/38 "2014-01-05T00:21:12Z")
> [@Tim\_R.Mortiss](#): > > I hate it when someone posts something I agree with, but they are so illiterate about it that I’m ashamed to admit that I agree with them in any way. Me too! If the OP were only more articulate. I myself remember the good ol’ days when a black man could become President of the United States, but now … Oh, wait. But I remember when women could become high-level cabinet secretaries and big-business CEOs, but now … Oh, wait a minute. Um. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/39 "2014-01-05T00:23:30Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Actually, two states (Oregon and Mississippi) do require prescriptions for pseudoephedrine, and multiple other states have at least introduced bills that would require prescriptions. [Cite in PDF format](http://www.cdc.gov/phlp/docs/pseudo-brief112013.pdf) Really? I did not know that. When did that happen? ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2014, 12:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864/40 "2014-01-05T00:25:33Z")
Is that the stuff in Actifed? Because Actifed was banned here in Thailand a year or two ago. and yes, it was because people were making crank with it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-it-just-me-losing-freedom-in-the-usa-edited-title/677864.md?page=3)