Commerce and individual freedom are inversely related.

[Skidmore]

Yes or no?

How does equating freedom with commerce contribute to liberty for the citizen?

[HereSince1628]

1. It doesn't, the founders separated Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness

The phrase "Pursuit of Happiness" has generally been interpreted as the right to pursue commerce.

[Skidmore]

2. So happiness is not a warm puppy?

It's money and stuff. Who arrived at that interpretation--a corporate CEO?

[HereSince1628]

4. Butchers' Co. v. Crescent City Co., 111 U.S. 746, 757, (1884.)

The meaning of "equally free and independent" is unclear and ambiguous, so say the courts of America. The "pursuit of happiness" is one of the "unalienable rights" of people enumerated in the Declaration of Independence, along with "life" and "liberty." "The right to pursue any lawful business or vocation, in any manner not inconsistent with the equal rights of others, which may increase their prosperity or develop their faculties, so as to give them their highest enjoyment." Butchers' Co. v. Crescent City Co., 111 U.S. 746, 757, (1884.)

(on edit--Having a recollection of that little gem stuck somewhere in that thing called memory for more than 30 years still available for use is actually pretty remarkable in itself)

[Skidmore]

7. I'm impressed. I'll tuck that one away in my memory

as well.

[kiahzero]

5. Locke (n/t)

[Sammy Pepys]

3. I wouldn't say they're inversely related.

There are plenty of examples in the world to evidence that.

[kiahzero]

6. No.

If commerce and individual freedom were inversely related, as one went up, the other would go down. No such trend appears to exist - countries with relatively high amounts of individual freedom also tend to have relatively strong economies.