There have been two opposite systems in American history. Here are the two systems:
Program
Social Security
Medicare
Medicaid
Welfare
Public Housing
Farm Subsidies
SBA Loans
Education grants
Economic Regulations
Minimum Wage Laws
Price Controls
Licensure Laws
Immigration Controls
Public Schooling
Gun Control
Income Taxation
Federal Reserve System
Fiat Money
Drug Laws
War on Poverty
Standing Army
Military Industrial Complex
CIA
NSA
Foreign Military Bases
Foreign Policing
Foreign Alliances
Foreign Aid
Foreign Wars
Foreign Interventions
Regime Change Operations
Sanctions and Embargoes
War on Terrorism
Torture
Indefinite Detention
Denial of Due Process
Denial of Trial by Jury
Denial of Speedy Trial
Warrantless Surveillance
Warrantless Searches
National Security State
18th-19th Centuries
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
No
20th-21st Centuries
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Questions for discussion: How can two opposite systems both constitute freedom? Who was right? Who had the better system? Under which system are people genuinely free? If people falsely believe they are free, does that make them free? Which system produces greater economic prosperity, especially for the poor? Which system produces greater safety and security for the citizenry? Under which system is government a greater danger to the freedom and well-being of the citizenry?