"This is a free country" used to be a comforting phrase for many americans.
But how do you know if it is a free country? It's written in the constitution, sure, but is it really true?
Well, there's a quick way for most people to find out - try exercising your freedoms and see what happens.
If you're really free to speak your mind, say something. Go on, say something controversial. You're free to say "God bless America". You're free to say "USA! USA!". You're free to say "Thank you for your service". You're free to say a lot of things that people agree with.
But try and say something truly controversial. Something that offends most people.
Freedom is supposed to be "content neutral". Your freedoms shouldn't change if you're unpopular or say the unpopular thing.
If you're free to speak, then you're free to say something offensive, loudly and in public.
If you're free to assemble, then you're free to assemble somewhere that inconveniences others.
If you have freedom of the press then you're free to publish the secrets of others. Or try taking a photo of a government building. Film a public official in the street.
If you have freedom of religion then you should be free to practice strange rituals during recess at school.
If you have freedom of your person against unreasonable searches, refuse consent. Say "no" to the police.
If you have freedom against self-incrimination, remain silent at a traffic stop.
Being free to conform, free to follow the herd, free to agree with authority, free to shop, is not freedom. Even the most autocratic societies had/have a common (narrow) culture and everyone was/is free to agree with it.
Freedom is offensive, dirty, inconvenient and shocking. It takes bravery, tolerance and quite a thick skin to be free, truly free.
So, is this still "A free country"?
Run a test, do an experiment, go ahead: Exercise your rights and see what happens.
[Feel free to share your story of exercising your rights, success or failure!]