What do you view as independence (on an individual personal level)?

[A P]

50 years ago, independence had more to do with having a large family, a stable job and maybe a dozen or more acres of land. What do you believe individual independence is for you?

[britt brat]

someone who doesn't need a significant other to feel "complete". someone who doesn't rely on others and can take charge in all aspects of life. someone who knows what they want and does whatever is needed to get it

[LαкЄwoo∂]

someone who is able to achieve his responsibilities without anybody's assistance.. which DOESN'T mean he or she being alone in the world.. that's just too sad.

[sglmom]

Independence (to me) means ..


Having the CONFIDENCE .. the Self-Esteem to be out on your own -- knowing that no matter what happens in life you have the STRENGTH to go forwards ...

You don't look 'back'. You take PERSONAL Responsibility for your choices in life. You stick to things (like your employment) -- are careful/prudent/frugal too. You RESPECT others and their choices .. for you know that no matter what -- you can NOT "Force" another to believe as you do.

It is when you are comfortable .. not necessarily 'rich' by any means .. but you have earned the income to PAY your taxes, your bills. You RAISE any children on your OWN (no help at all -- just yourself). You give to others in Temporary Need -- a Hand-UP .. (and you do NOT ever become co-dependent).

You own your own home, you have necessary utilities .. you can feed yourself and your family too. You EARNED your Education the HARD WAY -- you WORKED your way through College .. and put those degrees to good use.

YOU are happy with your Retirement ... you are happy in your status in life. You enjoy the company of others (at times) and you are happy to be able to enjoy the PEACE of being alone too.

You can RAISE your VOICE and express yourself -- and you become ACTIVE when ANYONE Wants to curtail your rights as a Citizen. That includes becoming active as a learner .. in political expression -- and OPPOSING Anyone/AnyTHING that will take those FREEDOMS Away.

THAT is my idea of INDEPENDENCE ... Cherishing the FREEDOMS we enjoy .. and that means PERSONAL Responsibility!

[Bradley P]

For me it's Life, Liberty and the Free Pursuit of Happiness. To elaborate:

Life--If I were independent I would have the means to provide for myself, the basics like food, clothing, shelter, healthcare, hygiene, etc., whether I was able to work at the moment or not. I wouldn't need to scramble for "any job, any job" just to get by, and I wouldn't need to become a social outcast on welfare and social benefits that get cut to the _bones_ every single year by uncaring hordes of elitist politicians (and their puppetmaster lobbyists).

Liberty--If I were independent, I would be able to use my freedom of speech and freedom of assembly openly out in public where they _matter_. I would be able to speak my mind freely on any number of things without being harassed, threatened, kicked off of public property and out of public places. I wouldn't need to be able to _buy_ a printing press to have freedom of the press, and I wouldn't need a _lawyer_ on retainer to protect my rights under any one of the Bill of Rights either (and especially not the First Amendment). I would be able to vote in a process that wasn't rigged. I would be able to choose _when and where_ my actions were public, and when they weren't (a.k.a. privacy). And as a consumer in a presumed free market, I would have _Fair Use_ rights to music, books and other Media I myself _purchased_ with my own legal tender (a.k.a. currency or money). I would be able to listen to music and share books freely with my friends without having to worry about being sued for a "theft" I didn't committ--because people would not accuse the whole damned internet of that "theft".

Free Pursuit of Happiness--This is more of a social freedom than a political one, but I should be able to go out in public and run errands without other people attacking and/or harassing me. I shouldn't have to cower in fear over paying bills and getting my own groceries. I should be able to go to the mall once in a while without people pointing at me and laughing in my face. I should be able to go out and meet people and make friends.

Independence in this case means not being considered a "social outcast" or a "mope" because the city around you thinks you're poor, and that therefore _every_ cliche and stereotype in the book comes with it: That the "mopes" are always dirty, smelly crackheads who have no intelligence, no souls, no feelings and that anyone can just bark at them like dogs and get away with it. It's bad enough that I get this business from the managers in my apartment building--do I need this from the whole neighborhood too, and the mass transit people, and....damned near everyone?

I am sorry to go on so, but yeah, that's it for me. I don't want to rule the world, ok?

I just want a better shot at living a decent life, being a good citizen, and being a social being who _fits in somewhere_, damn it. Is that so much to ask for?