A recent poll in Russia reports that more and more Russians understand the importance of freedom of speech. And other freedoms.

At the same time, here in the Fifty States, 51% of persons recently polled believe that the First Amendment is outdated and rewritten, and 48% believe that “hate speech” should be outlawed.

Keep in mind, that according to the mainstream media and both old parties in Congress and DC, Russia is our enemy and hates our liberties (among other things). Perhaps Putin and his regime hate Russian liberties as much as American ones? Or is there something else going on?

Meanwhile, last month in Connecticut, two college students were arrested for hate speech because someone recorded them saying racially insulting things as they walked across a parking lot. Recorded on a surveillance camera.

According to a 2019 poll, 47% of Americans (75% of Democrats) think it is more important to restrict gun ownership, compared to just 43% who think that it is more important to protect the right to own guns (15% Democrats). (Am I being nasty to suggest that the 20% of Republicans who believe in restricting gun ownership must include most Republicans elected to public office?)

Meanwhile, in New York, the Red Flag laws may have come very close to its first clear casualty. Although the situation was resolved peacefully and with no arrest or charges (which will probably change), it seems to have been touch and go. Police showed up at a veteran’s home to seize his “illegal” 30-round magazines because he was viewed as a threat to his family. Apparently just for owning the magazines. He barricaded himself, asked for help from various folks, and the cops (though claiming domestic violence) backed off.

In Spokane, Washington, according to bearingarms.com, police are using accusations of domestic violence to seize another veteran’s weapons. Even though apparently no action was taken to prosecute the man for what is clearly a crime. If it can be proved.

Which is the problem with both red flag gun laws and laws against “hate speech.” Not only are they immoral, denying people their God-given rights, but they ignore due process and all the other procedures intended to protect our basic and fundamental rights. Rights for which this nation was supposedly established to protect.

Consider also the rise in support, especially in younger generations, for socialism (progressivism, or as prefer, regressivism). And their dislike, or actual hatred, of the free market, free enterprise, and capitalism. Right here in the Fifty States. Barely thirty years after the collapse of an eighty-year disastrous experiment with socialism in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, more and more Americans are willing to surrender basic liberties, both personal and economic, to the State.

More and more Americans reject their liberties and freedoms, wanted to exchange those “worthless” things for safety and security. There are many reasons for this rejection, beyond our discussion now. But it is a growing problem. We simply do not value those things as much as we once did.

Even as hope for liberty fades in many parts of the Fifty States, is there greater hope for liberty in the cities, rural areas, and frontier lands of Russia?