MikeInBrklyn

Nothing!

I find the reference that the US is a "free country", just another means by which ueber nationalistic types advance an us vs. them agenda. To a large degree this sentiment has much to do with the need of some in the country to convince themselves of US exceptionalism. Though there are many other countries that provide their citizens equal or greater freedoms than the US, myopic nationalist find comfort in their false belief that none can be compared with the US. Oh well, "It's A Free Country" and everyone's entitled to believe whatever they choose, no?.

The institutions of politics.
Everyone (Legislator, The Judiciary, The Media, etc) are all catering to special interests and foregoing addressing the concerns of constituents.

- Strong campaign reform laws that eliminates the need for politicians to raise unseemly amounts of money to serve.
- return the media to a role of questioning and informing the public through unbiased, fact-based reporting.
- make voting mandatory. This would go a long way to making this country "free".

A direct contrast between, and willingness to point out, what is fact and what is fiction in the political discourse.