I’ve just returned from a two-week road trip across America with my kids—a journey that rekindled my deep love for this country… and also stirred a quiet ache I couldn’t ignore.
We didn’t stick to the usual tourist spots. Sure, we saw the Statue of Liberty and wandered through New York and Boston.
But we also went deep into the heartland—driving across South Dakota, visiting the cowboy town of Cody, WY, camping under the stars in Yellowstone, standing beneath Mount Rushmore, watching small-town rodeos, and even learning to shoot guns.
It was beautiful. Awe-inspiring. A window into the raw soul of this nation.
One morning, I was about to post a photo of my kids and me standing under the American flag—captioned “The Land of the Free.”
But my thumb hovered. Because something inside me whispered, That’s not entirely true anymore.
And that’s what today’s email is about.
It’s about freedom—what it really means, why it’s vanishing, and why we should all be concerned. Not just Americans, but all of us.
Where does America actually rank in freedom?
I was shocked to learn that America no longer ranks in the top 10 freest countries in the world.
In fact, not even the top 15.
According to the 2024 Human Freedom Index, America ranks #17—and it’s still falling.
Recent events, growing surveillance, media consolidation, and the erosion of civil rights are accelerating the decline.
Many experts now warn: the U.S. is on the brink of autocracy.
Why do Northern European and select Asian countries consistently outrank America in freedom?
Because they have:
- Strong protections for civil liberties
- Public education systems that teach critical thinking
- Universal healthcare that actually works
- Transparent governance
- Independent media (not owned by six conglomerates)
- Smart regulation that keeps corporate influence in check
Meanwhile, America continues to erode its democratic foundations.
Let’s break it down—with four global indexes that reveal the full picture.
#1: Human Freedom Index
Measured by the Cato Institute and Fraser Institute.
This combines personal freedom (speech, religion, and movement) with economic freedom (property rights and regulatory fairness).
Top countries: Switzerland, New Zealand, Finland, Denmark, Estonia
America? Ranked #17—tied with the UK.
Why?
Because of increasing political polarization, declining rule of law, and growing restrictions on bodily autonomy and protest rights.
#2: Press Freedom Index
Measured by Reporters Without Borders.
Evaluates media independence, transparency, and journalist safety.
Top countries: Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Netherlands
America? Ranked #57.
Why?
Because six corporations own 90% of U.S. media.
Because cable networks profit from division.
Because journalists are threatened and discredited.
Because truth is no longer profitable.
#3: Democracy Index
Published by The Economist Intelligence Unit.
Measures the electoral process, civil liberties, political culture, and government function.
Top countries: Norway, New Zealand, Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland
America? Labeled a “flawed ”democracy”—currently around #28.
The country that once exported democracy… now struggles to protect its own.
#4 Internet Freedom
Measured by Freedom House.
Assesses censorship, surveillance, and digital expression.
Top countries: Iceland, Estonia, Canada
America? Not even in the top 10—and declining.
Why?
Policies like requiring visa applicants to hand over social media accounts are undermining digital privacy — and global trust in U.S. tech.
Each index tells the same story:
America is falling behind.
So what does this tell us?
The idea that America is the freest nation on Earth does not hold up against the four global freedom indices.
It’s a myth—one we must lovingly but urgently dismantle if we are to build something better.
What real freedom actually looks like
Real freedom isn’t fireworks and an anthem.
It’s not red, white, and blue—it’s truth, agency, and dignity.
Here’s what real freedom looks like in a modern, awakened society:
Real freedom means…
Freedom from fear
You can walk down the street without fearing bullets, badges, or bills.
Freedom to learn truthfully
Your education isn’t censored by political agendas or banned books.
Freedom to heal
You can access affordable, evidence-based healthcare—without bankrupting your family.
Freedom to vote—and have it count
Your voice isn’t silenced by gerrymandering, voter suppression, or money in politics.
Freedom of thought
Algorithms don’t control your beliefs. You think for yourself—not how the algorithm trained you to.
Freedom to be who you are
Regardless of your race, gender, sexuality, faith, or background—you’re treated with dignity, not suspicion.
Freedom online
The internet is a tool for empowerment, not surveillance, manipulation, or corporate censorship.
Freedom to roam
You can travel, work, and live across borders without bureaucratic chains—as a citizen of the Earth.
Freedom to rise—together
Economic mobility is real. Success isn’t reserved for the zip code you were born into.
Freedom from war
You don’t have to fund invasions while schools crumble and families go hungry.
That’s what freedom looks like.
Not something you claim.
Something you create.
But here’s what Americans still aren’t free from…
Freedom from poisoned food
Michelle Obama planted vegetables. Conservatives shouted, “You’re taking away our freedom!”
Now RFK Jr. echoes the same message—and it’s patriotic.
The hypocrisy is wild.
But at least now both sides agree: America’s food system is broken.
Americans now die five years younger than their European counterparts.
Freedom from gun terror
You want a handgun? Fine. A hunting rifle? Cool.
But why the hell are AR-15s on the streets?
Kids are doing active shooter drills in kindergarten.
That’s not freedom. That’s national PTSD.
Freedom from mass incarceration
America is 4% of the world’s population, but holds 20% of the world’s prisoners.
Over 1% of Americans are behind bars.
Private prisons profit. Minorities suffer.
Land of the free… unless you’re poor, Black, or unlucky.
Freedom for your vote to actually count
Wyoming: 580,000 people. California: 39 million.
Same number of senators. That’s not democracy—that’s dilution.
And Puerto Rico?
3 million American citizens.
No vote in Congress. No vote for president.
How? Puerto Ricans are American citizens. They just don’t get to vote.
Make it make sense.
So what if we flipped the script?
Young Americans chant: Free Gaza. Free Palestine. Free Cuba. Free Iran.
But what if we said: Free America.
- Free America from propaganda disguised as news.
- Free America from the grip of Rupert Murdoch.
- Free America from billionaires who can buy elections.
- Free America from a system where corporations are people, but people are disposable.
- Free America from mass shootings—and the 25+ million assault rifles still circulating.
- Free America from the impact of foreign lobbies, like the Israel lobby, which spends over $100 million/year influencing U.S. politicians.
- Free America from racism disguised as patriotism.
- Free America from cruel policies that tear undocumented families apart.
But mostly…
Free America from the illusion of freedom.
Because here’s the truth:
When America is free… Gaza will be free. So will the world.
When America sneezes, the world catches a cold. And we, the rest of the world, are sick of suffering the consequences.
This isn’t about red vs. blue
It’s about truth vs. illusion.
It’s about reclaiming what “freedom” really means—beyond slogans, beyond partisanship, beyond the BS.
And it starts with us—speaking up, seeing clearly, and refusing to settle for myth over meaning.
In love, the American spirit of rebellion, and deep respect for what this amazing country could still become,
— Vishen
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Leave a comment below—tell me what freedom means to you, what you’re standing for, or what this stirred in you.
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291 Responses
I think when you become aligned with your purpose then you can feel free. in history books you saw painting Liberte, Egalite, Fraternite originating from the French revolution. People travel to seek the freedom, to have free time from work or from pressure in close relationship. Why so many people then travel to Paris? They want to see art and sense the atmosphere, cafes and walk along Seine river.. chatGDP could also give answers about the right hemisphere and creativity and freedom, when you are aligned with your purpose u feel your freedom.
Thank you for continuing to use your platform to share this very important and urgent message–much appreciated!
Freedom is inner state and not 1 thing. Human is created free by his Creator- God. I personally believe that during the lifetime we are gifted to experience, one of our soul tasks is to express this freedom in authentic way. God bless all!
Thank you Vishen for sharing this. It stirred something deep.
Freedom is far more than policies or borders.
It lives in the breath, in the body, in the way we meet ourselves each moment.
True freedom begins where ego ends.
And the ones trapped in constant comparison live more in prisons than in presence.
There’s a saying: One day we will all stand equal together, in the presence of infinite love.
Yet why wait for that day,
when we can choose it now?
Love is the infinite freedom.
It’s the return to wholeness.
The remembrance of what no system can grant, only our soul can awaken.
This is the freedom I choose to live and share, where dignity replaces division, and presence dissolves illusion.
Reina
Wow!! I truly look forward to your pieces because they are so beautifully worded and you make me think. I agree with every powerful word you said. I thank you for being bold enough to put it in print. I thank you for taking the time to pen these words straight from the heart for a better America and a better future for generations to come.
A Letter to Simon L’Arbalestier:
I feel sure Vishen is capable of responding to our comments without your help.
Your attacks on some of us about our comments fully reveal where you get your “news”.
I am sorry to say that I agree with what you have mentioned has happened to the US. It is for sure for those of us that are more heart centered to help bring light to what needs to be fixed to make a better world for everyone!
I’m grateful that you’re taking a stance and sharing your perspective publicly on these extremely pressing matters that affect us all.
I’d love to see the Blog in a sharable format (social media video, perhaps) and join forces with other educators who dare speak truth to power, such as professors, Timothy Snyder (https://www.facebook.com/author01)
Robert Reich (https://www.facebook.com/RBReich) and Heather Cox Richardson (https://www.facebook.com/heathercoxrichardson).
Thank you for creating Mindvalley U, the vision to “upgrade the operating system of humanity” with “wisdom that spreads faster than fear.”
Yes. Thank you.
The states are being ruined by one man trump. He has ruined the world. Americans wake upright now before it’s too late
Vishen, I think you recently quoted Socrates’ timeless admonition, “To find yourself, think for yourself” I belive this statement serves as a profound warning against the perils of intellectual complacency.
Coincidentally, I am in Greece working and I am constantly speaking about the lives and work of the “big three” Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle among ancient Greek thinkers. Today as I gazed on the hilltop prison of Socrates from the actual birthplace of democracy, I thought about the irony. Later when reading your message, i was inspired to respond.
When individuals cease to engage in independent thought, they risk becoming mere echoes in a collective chorus, losing their distinct voices and, by extension, their personal freedoms. In a world increasingly saturated with information and external opinions, the temptation to outsource critical thinking to algorithms, social trends, or charismatic leaders can be overwhelming. However, this surrender of the mind leads to a gradual erosion of autonomy, as one’s beliefs, values, and even sense of self are shaped not by internal conviction, but by external forces. The danger lies in the slow, imperceptible shift from self-determination to being determined by others, leaving individuals vulnerable to manipulation and the loss of their unique perspectives.
This decline in individual thought has far-reaching implications for personal freedom. True freedom isn’t just about the absence of external constraints, but the capacity to choose one’s path, define one’s purpose, and live authentically. Without the habit of thinking for oneself, people become susceptible to groupthink, where dissenting voices are silenced and conformity reigns. This stifles innovation, critical inquiry, and the very essence of a vibrant, diverse society. Ultimately, when we stop questioning, analyzing, and forming our own conclusions, we forfeit the right to truly “find ourselves” – to understand our deepest values and desires – and in doing so, we pave the way for a society where personal liberties are easily curtailed, and the spirit of individual agency is dimmed.
For me, as a Tour Director who loves meeting people and helping them, it’s clear that true connection and understanding come from individuals who have taken the time to discover who they are, which starts with thinking for themselves. It’s about having those unique perspectives that make conversations so interesting and travel so enriching. If we all thought the same, imagine how dull the world would be! My experience in seeing different cultures just reinforces how important it is for each person to cultivate their own thoughts and beliefs and to promote more opportunity and encourage others to do so.
Thanks for the inspiration behind this critical line if thought.
Guau, dear Vishen, you had me in tears after reading your whole letter….. so deep!!
I totally agree with you Vishen. US and Israel are now showing their true faces, but the most devilish people have been ruling these countries for a very long time. Great that you are speaking up, hope more people will do.
Vishen, this is such a distorted perspective of Europe. Not true, that media there are “independent.” Not true, that universal Healthcare works. I came from such system and will choose the imperfect, difficult, frustrating US system till the end. I don’t know who creates this ranking, but it’s incorrect.
Independent media in Europe exist where they are „public“, i.e. paid directly by citizens. And what´s more, watching the news isn´t constantly interrupted by ads. Universal health care is not perfect but much better than in the US. Employers must contribute to employee health insurance regardless of the amount of time worked. So they can’t employ someone 9/10 of the time and thus avoid paying health insurance premiums. When health insurance payments are mandatory, it is not possible for a middle class person to become homeless overnight because they were in a car accident.
As a US born citizen, these words echo so heavily in my mind. I find myself questioning daily if the country I call home is no longer the place of freedom. Why is it that I travel and when asked where I’m from, I say Mexico because when I say American, I get “the look”, and the comments that show what people really think of the US. I have the luxury of leaving and calling somewhere else home but do I abandon my family, friends, and the place I have grown in my education and career? Is it too late to save face and reclaim our country for what it can and should be.
As a Canadian living in such close proximity to the US it’s been heart wrenching and somewhat terrifying to watch what’s happening down there, and the impact it’s having not just on Americans, but on the rest of the world as well. Thank you Vishen for sharing your thoughts, and speaking out. I am reminded of the phrase “the only thing needed for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing”. People are hurting, rights are being stripped away, and it’s up to the people to open their eyes and stand up for what is right and good for all. The direction things are currently heading doesn’t seem good…..
Vishen, you show us your immaturity and small mind –not the ‘extraordinary mind’ you write about. How sad! One more influencer who uses divisive language and backs up his ideas with ‘studies’ to prove his talking points. Not worthy of Mind Valley. Your letter portrays a great example of the 4 W’s ~ another woke, weak, wienerless wuss.
Mindvalley is a great company for personal improvement and preparing for the future. I did not join to argue politics or even religion. I do not agree with your positions on the “state” of the United States. I know you do not like Trump. He is a man of many faults, but he is leading the country back in the right direction again since the “other side” did such a good job of destroying our largest urban centers, including their personal safety. If our country had kept going in the same direction, we would be the Venezuela of the next decade.
I don´t think “the other side” could have managed to destroy the largest urban centers just within past four years. Trump was a president from 2017 to 2021 and for the past 35 years (since the US economy was in one of its best conditions), the two major political parties have regularly alternated in holding the presidency. Vishen is talking about a longterm development of the country.
Nice article Vishen
Hello Vishen, I like very much what you wrote. You described the situation as you see it, quoted respectable organizations´ findings and asked others to react. Unlike other people here I strongly believe that expressing one´s view does not create division. What divides people is making the ones with different opinion look evil. This should not be done unless those people actually promote violence. In fact, responsible citizens should openly express their opinions as often as they can to create awareness of various approaches which could eventually lead to a consensus in the society. We all vote and therefore create each other´s future. If we don´t talk to others, we may become isolated and therefore misinformed. We don´t want to be deceived and manipulated by a few. Let´s talk in a polite and patient way, present reasonable arguments and try to come to a consensus.