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.
Next: Join us live at Mindvalley X this Aug 9, 2025
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This time: a one-day, global event with our best Mindvalley teachers delivering TED-style talks—20 minutes each—packed with new ideas for 2025 and beyond.
From longevity and AI to conscious entrepreneurship and emotional mastery—this summit is your invitation to the next evolution of you.
And it’s free to attend from anywhere in the world.
Because the future isn’t waiting.
And neither should we.
Let’s grow together.
Let’s rise as one.
294 Responses
Love your comments on the myth of American freedom. Thank you for speaking the truth. Keep up the good work!
Kevin B.
This was my first time reading the blog. I enjoyed it. The blog was informative, interesting, insightful and inspiring. Thank You!
Vishen — I’ve followed your work for years and deeply respect your mission to elevate consciousness and challenge broken systems. But this message shook me, not because I disagreed with everything, but because it revealed a dangerous contradiction.
You say you believe in freedom.
You say handguns are fine.
You say hunting rifles are fine.
But then you ask: “Why the hell are AR-15s on the street?”
Let’s talk about that. The AR-15 isn’t the problem.
First, let’s define terms accurately:
The “AR” in AR-15 doesn’t stand for “assault rifle.” It stands for ArmaLite Rifle, the company that designed it. It’s not a military weapon. It’s a semi-automatic sporting rifle; one trigger pull = one round fired. Functionally, it’s no more “deadly” than many common hunting rifles, like the .30-06.
So if a pistol is acceptable… and a .30-06 is acceptable…
Why single out the AR-15? Because it looks scary?
The only thing that makes an AR-15 “scarier” is how it looks to people unfamiliar with firearms. But policies based on fear and optics are exactly the kind of illusion you say we need to dismantle. We don’t protect freedom by vilifying law-abiding citizens.
Yes, shootings are tragic. But the tool isn’t the root. Mental health, media glorification of violence, social isolation, and lack of community are. Let’s deal with the real causes, not scapegoat the millions of responsible owners who’ve harmed no one.
The Senate is working as designed. You mentioned how Wyoming and California both get two Senators and implied that’s undemocratic. But that’s not a flaw, it’s a foundational part of the Constitution.
The Senate balances power between states, 2 votes per state, to prevent coastal or population-dense regions from controlling the rest of the country.
The House of Representatives is based on population; California has 52 seats, while Wyoming has just one.
It’s not “rigged.” It’s federalism.
We don’t live in a direct democracy. We live in a constitutional republic, by design.
Puerto Rico: Let’s Get the Facts Straight…
You asked, “How can 3 million American citizens not vote for President?”
Answer: Puerto Rico is not a state. It’s a U.S. territory—just like Guam, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Territories have representation in Congress (called a Resident Commissioner), but they don’t vote for President because they’re not states.
If Puerto Rico wants full representation, it can vote to become a state. It’s had multiple referendums on the issue, some leaning toward statehood, some not. But to frame it as injustice without context is misleading. They’re self-governing under the U.S. flag by choice.
Truth Cuts Both Ways…. You call for nuance, truth, and freedom of thought. I’m with you. But truth cuts both ways:
– Freedom includes the right to bear arms—even the ones that look scary to people who don’t understand them.
– The Constitution protects all rights, not just the trendy or popular ones.
– Federal balance of power may not always feel fair, but it protects the minority from the tyranny of the majority.
– Cherry-picking which freedoms “count” isn’t liberation—it’s ideological control.
You want to “Free America”? Then let’s start by freeing it from misinformation—from soundbites, from fear-based framing, and from shallow outrage.
We actually agree on a lot:
– The media is broken.
– Our food system is toxic.
– Our healthcare model is sick-care.
– Politics has become a performance, not a process.
But if we only defend the freedoms we personally like, we’re not building a freer society—we’re just swapping one illusion for another.
Freedom isn’t selective.
And control dressed up as compassion is still control.
Thanks so much for pointing all of this out Ginger! I also agree that Vishen’s assessment was not fully informed and to a degree biased.
You write very well and based on facts. Unfortunately, Vishen wrote with soundbite slogans and with ignorance.
Agree with much here. Freedom ‘metrics’ must also be understood in light of the leanings of the source. Sweden scores highly but seems like a society in difficulty right now. I am a lonely supporter of Israel -if Israel doesn’t pay to make their case, the country probably wouldn’t exist now, such is their neighbourhood. Everything is multifaceted, complex.
Spot on!
Amen. Thank you Ginger, for this thoughtful response.
A beautifully written response with expert knowledge, facts and fairness! This is a perfect example of how we share ideas & respectfully debate to try and solve the real problems. Thank you!
Very VERY well said, Ginger.
Well stated!
Ginger, thanks for a very thoughtful post.
Too many times emotion takes the place of fact. Politicians and the media look for feel good answers, not those that may help the challenge.
The former open border policy of the previous administration sounds like eutopia to some. Instead it brought chaos, confusion and more travails. I am not aware of any country that has an open border policy inviting all to enter without question.
Bullets-badges & bills??? You were spot on about weapons. The AR 15 was my weapon in Vietnam; not the same weapon today. As for “badges & bills” we need our law enforcement to be able to do their jobs. If there are bad folks get rid of them. Also, the idea that someone should be paying our bills is total BS.
YES, thank you Ginger. I appreciate your facts. I appreciate the topic Vishen has chosen, and the FACTS he presents here. I am disappointed in the emotionalism that leads to inherent judgements that you clarify.
Absolutely!! Well said— I was thinking much of them same as I read this article. Also, freedom is an abstract and nuanced term. The nuances are where the muddied waters lurk and where genuine dialogue needs to happen. For example, where was the bodily autonomy during the COVID years? Where was the freedom then to decide? I agree in principle to much of what was expressed, but “the devil is in the details”— and while we may agree on the basic tenants of Freedom, it may look very different in practice.
Wow. That was a great response and I sure hope he really does read the comments! I wholeheartedly think like you. 🙂
Thank you so much for your response. I enjoyed reading your well thought out comments. This information was a great and helped create balance to the blog post.
Excellent rebuttal. Those places he states that are supposedly more free sure weren’t free during Covid, matter of fact it showed how fascist they really were. None of them can own guns to protect themselves from their government or from two legged predators. So how free can they be? They are treated like children. America is unique in this world and is the brightest light even with its flaws. We are a Constitutional Republic not a Democracy. A Democracy is communism where 51% rule over the 49% to decide if they can have their rights. A Constitutional Republic is where it doesn’t matter what the 99% do the 1% still have their God given rights and cannot be taken away as long as you abide by the laws. It isn’t like that anywhere else in the world. Europe is a joke still ruled by Kings and Queens behind a curtain. Singapore just past a law that no one can refuse forced vaccinations. Vishen wake up dude!!
Well said Ginger Allen. You were way more articulate than I was.
Amen! Well said, these people (like Vishen) disguised as freedom loving people Only love what they believe in and are pushing misinformation about the basic structure of how this country runs and how it was Purposely set up as by our founding fathers. True freedom comes with a price — self-control and if that is not instilled in people from their parents then only at that point must society step in — to correct bad behavior towards self and others. Its basic Natural Law endowed by our Creator. No victim No Crime! Wake up Vishen stop being a hypocrite!
Powerful! Please keep up sharing your clear thinking!!
Despite freedom seems to be something individual – and indeed has a component of personal feeling – it is impossible to achieve it, if the freedom of society is not guaranteed. No one is free, unless everyone is free. That’s the base of the “Rule of Law”: it only works, if works for everyone. And one of the reasons why the “balance between the Powers” exists: if some of the protective mechanisms fail to assure the freedom, the other one will fix it. I hope we (citizens of the World) can get on track. In my country, freedom was never a reality, just a dream and a “hope”, despite we are a Republic and – theoraticaly – has a democratic rule of law for almost 40 years. Let’s keep working.
Thank you Vishen for posting truth backed by statistics to expose the lies we are propogandized to believe . These stats are a sad but true reality. Land of the free is a myth and it is getting worse by the day. Thank you for using your voice and platform to discuss these crutial matters.
Vishen, in my view you are absolutely correct in your views or assesment. Where we might have different ideas or expectations, is in the fact that (in my view) that the “typical American” doesn’t care !!
And why this ? Lack of (as you state it) capacity for critical thinking … which is the result or REAL EDUCATION (i.e. provide individuals with tools for thinking, learning, etc).
Whereas (not just in the US) the so called current education is simply a combination of training in certain disciplines, and be “configurated” into an amorphous non-thinking entity.
And to change this, in addition to real leaders, a minimum of one generation is required.
Best
Interesting and surprising article :). But it might be missing some other core freedom components. How about also adding:
1. Free America from cancel culture which is destroying our ability to find the truth and find common grounds
2. Free America from victimhood syndrome which is constantly pointing the finger at others – the “other” lobbyists, the “other” capitalists, the “other” party instead of looking inwards and asking – where can I do better and how do I make myself stronger too
3. Free America from ingratitude: how about we first start with feeling grateful for being no 17 which is far from the 100+ many of us came from. And then put in the effort to making it no 1.
4. Free America from superiority complex – how about we remember where we started from: a country where even not too long ago people where openly laughing at gay jokes and ogling at high school girls, before being outraged at someone who still does that – lend a hand to help them cross over the way we did instead of pushing them even further away. Also, how about we remember that colonialism and slavery were not done by any one race or color but was a shared product of the world at the time and racism too is not limited to any one race/color right now but rather exists everywhere.
5. Free America from polarized thinking: history is complex, people are complex. Every Frankenstein is created by society. Every evil might be fighting another evil. We are living in social media bubbles unfortunately, filled with echo chambers, where truth is a needle within a haystack of lies
6. Free America from the “should-be” outrage: Let’s start with accepting what is, the light and the shadows, be grateful for them both, and work on expanding our light.
That said I do agree with many of the points you made. But loss of freedom is coming from all sides. And although I’m here writing an intellectual response right now, I don’t think intellectual debates can help shift perspectives. People enter debates, and even watch debates, with their minds made up. We are where are, not only in USA but all over the world because people are suffering. As Covid showed – it doesn’t matter who sneezes where, we all die. The only antidote is love and compassion. Nothing but love can heal the deep-seated trauma we have created worldwide.
I approve of your additional comments. I am a Canadian. I am shocked at what is happening in the United States.
I totally agree with you!
This is where your left of center AI shows it’s stuff. I appreciate your opinions, and even that of your AI. But, there are many facts that you quoted frankly I can’t agree with. Yes, America needs improvements. Every country does. However, your AI is more left than center in my opinion. Still I really appreciate your leadership and putting yourself out there.
This is not about left or right of AI, it’s fact. That is the problem. Facts don’t seem to matter anymore to millions.
Speaking truth to power is the only way.
Completely agree 100%! And I say this as a non American but whose country is so heavily influenced by what happens across the pond. It’s seems we in the ‘civilised’ west have lost all civility and indeed autonomy. It makes me laugh when the kids in school as are asked to write a critical essay when we in fact have obstructed every form of critical thinking and have become a people of ‘one way or the high way’. Everything seems so diametrically opposed that the middle ground no longer exists. Here’s to sane and voices of reason getting louder.
Vishen, thank you very much for your thorough and excellent analysis which I think is highly valuable for maintaining an objective position during the current time where false news even on freedom are abundant. Very much appreciated.
Thank you so much for stating this. I have found many thought-leaders do not want to alienate their “customer” base and so they attempt to appear neutral. I am sure this took courage to write. For me though, as a long time consumer of MindValley, I am now more likely to turn to your content.
Well said Vishen !!
Christine, UK
Interesting and surprising article :). But it might be missing some other core freedom components. How about also adding:
1. Free America from cancel culture which is destroying our ability to find the truth and find common grounds
2. Free America from victimhood syndrome which is constantly pointing the finger at others – the “other” lobbyists, the “other” capitalists instead of looking inwards and asking – where can I do better and how do I make myself stronger too
3. Free America from ingratitude: how about we first start with feeling grateful for being no 17 which is far from the 100+ many of us came from. And then put in the effort to making it no 1.
4. Free America from superiority complex – how about we remember where we started from: a country where even not too long ago people where openly laughing at gay jokes and ogling at high school girls, before being outraged at someone who still does that – lend a hand to help them cross over the way we did instead of pushing them even further away. Also, how about we remember that colonialism and slavery were not done by any one race or color but was a shared product of the world at the time and racism too is not limited to any one race/color right now but rather exists in everywhere.
5. Free America from polarized thinking: history is complex, people are complex. Every Frankenstein is created by society. Every evil might be fighting another evil. We are living in social media bubbles unfortunately, filled with falsehoods and echo chambers.
6. Free America from the “should-be” outrage: Let’s start with accepting what is, the light and the shadows, be grateful for them both, and work on expanding our light.
This! The way forward. Thank you for this. “..help them cross over.” Beautiful.
Yesss I totally agree.
#Free_Palestine
Vishen, thanks for sharing your thoughts, they are so true, unfortunately! So many things people don’t think of enough and let others decide. Hopefully there’s still hope for American Democracy!
We are living a really hard time, we don’t have any idea of the consequencies of so many changes in the daily life of a human being after a massive exposure to screen, increase of hedonism and narcisism with social media and finally AI. Everything is happen so fast. May God bless us to keep running until the end….
Yes it is so true. You write my mind Vishen. It’s a sad story and hope it will come to an end.
Thank you Vishen, for once again bringing to light a difficult subject. It is challenging to know which thread to pull, where to begin. So I begin here: what do I want- for the present & the future, for all beings, and to include all that is non-human? Let’s start with the foundations: that all are fed, clothed & housed. That there is enough stability in the World to not be killing each other in endless wars; that our cultural histories are acknowledged & even allowed; that we honor our collective histories even if it reveals uncomfortable truths in the hopes that we can evolve beyond dark historical events and enter a new day where we truly work collaboratively to solve big problems. And here is where I feel it gets tricky. Do we act out of fear and division and therefore blame ‘the Other’…do we distract ourselves from what is actually taking place…or do recognize that there really is a huge Shift taking place, which requires our full attention, and be inspired to do our best to achieve social/economic/environmental justice? Can Humans rise to achieve our fullest potential? Is that in gaining vast sums of money, and in so doing do we exchange ‘wealth’ for connection with each other & this beautiful planet where we physically exist? Do we allow ‘innovation’ to overtake everything else? Do we sacrifice the future because of an un-relenting desire for ‘more’? Does our collective humanity stop at some lines drawn on a piece of paper? We have not begun to see the enormity of migration due to climate change. Can we step back a moment in our thinking to fathom this? I joined Mindvalley because I had been introduced to the Silva Method 55 years ago, by a friend’s mother, and it has been part of my Life ever since…and it is incredibly useful to help stay calm & centered & focused in the midst of turmoil. And sometimes I am irritated by the promotion of ‘the Abundance Mindset’…because it seems mostly to feed the insatiable self-centered desire for ‘more’, rather than to truly develop gratefulness. If ‘more’ can be about caring, curiosity, serving those who truly don’t have even the basics: then I say ‘bravo’. Vishen, you are a huge promoter of AI…do you question what is about to happen with AGI? Do you see ‘the Deep Fakes’ that are just barely beginning…but will undermine Truth & Fact like an atomic weapon?While the USA may exemplify the crumbling of some grand ideals to aspire to: the contraction is worldwide. And it is always the already under-served who will suffer most. Self-empowerment is good- to a point. At a certain point it is time to act. Because in the end what is really important is not the luxury lifestyle but the deep loving connections, human to human, human with our animal friends, our acknowledgement of a past connected to future generations with clean water, clean air, clean food. may be we inspired to co-create this