Freedom

​I am reading speeches at the moment.  The current one was between J.F.K and Richard Nixon.  It was the first televised debate.  In it, J.F.K. makes a statement I think is as relevant today as it was when it was said 60 years ago. “In the election of 1960…the question is whether the world will exist half slave or half free, whether it will move in the direction of freedom…or whether it will move in the direction of slavery.”
To me the world is forming into blocks.  One is headed by a country we trade with big time.  It seems to want to hold the world captive through trade and buying influence.  It exhibits behaviour which aligns with one of my theories.  That is that my behaviour is judged by the behaviour of the judge.  It may be rightly claimed they are doing what others do, but never has it been done so openly or denied so vehemently.  I do not get the impression the people are free.  They seem to be slaves to the regime.
Another is headed by Russia and its influence extends to states around it.  It is claiming what it can (including what is seen as a possible trade route now the Artic Ice is melting, and is rich in resources).  In other matters when questioned, it will not admit to any wrong-doing.    The leader seems to want unlimited power and silences any opposition.  To me the people are slaves.
The western or democratic nations seem to be less aligned.  They have been aligned with the US, who’s influence is waning.  The European Union seems to be assuming more importance as a counter-balance to the influence of nations it sees as hostile.  The western nations see themselves as “free people.”  They do not see themselves as slaves, at least by the standards of other blocks.
Yet I honestly question how “free” democratic nations are, when the media wants to determine how I think 24/7.  Most stores I walk into these days have music or the radio playing.  Again, it seems like a measure keeping me from thinking for myself.
While there is no doubting the west sees itself as free, freedom to me is determined by what it is measured by.  If I measure our freedom by other blocks I appear to be “free.”  Yet if I measure freedom by another measure democratic peoples are free in name only and are slaves.  I am thankful to be living in what I consider the best sort of freedom available at the moment, but the door is closing.
Dylan sang, “you gotta serve somebody.”  We are all slaves.  The question is who’s?  Freedom is an inside job.  A prison cell may be opulently decked out, but it is still a prison.  Affluence may buy me comfort, but it can never buy me freedom.  It does not matter if the regime I serve is totalitarian or free, I am only free, if I am free on the inside.