Free

What is free?

We hear that things should be free. Speech. Health care. But, what does this actually mean? Can things be free?

Free is limited by two obstacles.

• Principle. If there are things we value greater than what we are making free, the free thing will be limited. If we place safety as having greater value than freedom of speech, it will be wrong to falsely create fear or panic. So, you cannot claim freedom of speech if you scream "Fire" in a movie theater. We have freedom of silence as well. A person need not incriminate herself even if her silence creates fear. A woman in PA had a contract killing of her husband on the Ohio Turnpike, creating the fear that a highway murderer was on the loose in Ohio. She was eventually arrested and tried for her husband's murder, but was not charged for failing to diffuse a feeling of terror among Ohio turnpike drivers. Similarly, if health care is free, then the freedom of health care workers will be limited. Each freedom in some way enslaves others.
• Practicality. If everyone constantly spoke in the public square, no one would be listening. Similarly, resources required for health care come at a price which must be paid, confiscated or denied.

The failings of progressive thinkers, seekers of complete freedom and/or equality, are that principle and practicality often interfere with grand plans, sometimes in subtle and unforseen ways. These are the "unintended consequences" that often arise when a false principle of freedom or equality is enacted. The concept of a free and equal health care system can be visualized in the same way we can visualize travelling faster than the speed of light. Both run into basic conflicts with principles and practicalities that cannot be overcome.