Building a More Free Society

As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our country's declaration of independence, we are still trying to understand what that freedom really means and how we balance that freedom against collective responsibilities. When Americans talk about freedom, we often focus on the freedoms we possess as individuals. But FDR's "freedom from want" and "freedom from fear" remind us that some of the most important freedoms can only be created collectively. A truly free society is one that actively works to reduce want and fear so that all people can flourish.