#  It’s Independence Day But We Don’t Feel Free…Why?

     Details    Ken Alpern   ![logo](https://www.citywatchla.com//templates/ja_teline_v/images/logo.png)         July 04 2024      [  ![](https://www.citywatchla.com/images/stories/July-2024/054h.jpg#joomlaImage://local-images/stories/July-2024/054h.jpg?width=1106&height=620)    ](https://www.citywatchla.com/voices/29171-its-independence-day-but-we-dont-feel-free-why)

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 ALPERN AT LARGE - The Left is terrified of Trump. The Right is terrified of Biden. The “Vital Center” referred to by former President Bill Clinton is bothered (and perhaps terrified) by both.

Either way, no one feels “free”.

Of course, nothing and no one is truly free. Free money, free speech, free civil rights...everything comes at a price, and everything has to be paid for by someone—and, ideally, paid by each and every one of us.

The Left fears a lying, senile, tyrannical Trump. The Right fears, a lying, senile, tyrannical Biden. And RFK, Jr. didn’t seem to assuage any fears as a viable third-party candidate.

The question we should ask ourselves is…WHY?

WHY does the other side fear “your guy”?

Are those guys on the other side just creepy, ignorant miscreants?

Uneducated, unwashed masses not deserving of a right to speak, let alone a right to vote?

Morons with evil in their hearts?

Taxes are too high, and inflation is too high, and housing costs are too high…WHY?

Lots of houses (way, WAY too many) and related properties are owned by Chinese and other foreign individuals, and yet we allow this…why?

Our energy and environmental policies are anything BUT sustainable and beneficial to the average and ordinary Joe and Jane American…why?

We’re focusing on the needs of those not here legally (and they have Republican champions as well as Democratic champions!) over those who’ve paid, and their ancestors have paid, into the systems of our nation for generations with taxes, sweat, and even blood…why?

We’ve thrown away criminal accountability, and accountability for the homeless to find ways to seek shelter even when it’s been provided…why?

We’re settling for a trip to the store being an exercise in economic pain and a miserable “everything is locked up” experience…why?

We’re witnessing a two-party system in our nation being accused of, and behaving like, a one-party “ruling class”…why?

The only ones with a secure future, and not consigned to whatever crumbs Social Security and Medicare offers, are current and retired government workers…why?

We’re thrown out any sort of balanced Republican/Democratic majority/minority in our Golden State, and in our City and County of Los Angeles, but still the rich prosper while those being re-elected are trampling on the middle and lower classes who keep re-electing them…why?

Our colleges and universities are producing indoctrinated and entitled youngsters who are allergic to 40- or 50- or even 60-hour workweeks, and we have to import Asian professionals who can and will work hard and use their learning to its fullest potential…why?

Inflation is reported to have destroyed the Roman Empire, but yet we’re doing everything we can to promote inflation in our own time…why?

We’re not feeling free, but we’re pointing our own fingers at the perceived wrong actions and wrong inactions of others…when we should be asking: why?

WHY?

*(Kenneth S. Alpern, M.D, is a dermatologist who has served in clinics in Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside Counties, and is a proud husband and father. He was active for 20 years on the Mar Vista Community Council (MVCC) as a Board Member focused on Planning and Transportation, and helped lead the grassroots efforts of the Expo Line as well as connecting LAX to MetroRail. His latest project is his fictional online book entitled The Unforgotten Tales of Middle-Earth, and can be reached at <Ken.Alpern@MarVista.org>. The views expressed in this article are solely those of Dr. Alpern.)*

  - [  Previous Article **Joe Biden’s Blood Libels** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29172:joe-bidens-blood-libels&catid=375)
- [  Next Article **Freedom of the Press? A Steep Cost is Paid by Journalists and the People** ](https://www.citywatchla.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=29170:freedom-of-the-press-a-steep-cost-is-paid-by-journalists-and-the-people&catid=375)
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