In America, the word "Freedom" gets thrown around a lot. Whenever someone does something that conservatives don't like, they always say it's taking away our "Freedom". Anything from better science standards in education to universal healthcare brings an angry roar to preserve "Freedom".
Strictly speaking, the are right that these initiatives restrict people ability to do certain things. Background checks on guns will force people to reveal more about themselves to the government. Not allowing people to dump toxic waste in the river forces companies to invest in proper disposal.
However, everything is a trade off, and some freedoms are more important than others. Having background checks on gun purchases trades the ability to buy weapons freely for a greater freedom from armed criminals. Stopping toxic waste dumps may cost a company a lot of money, but people who depend on the water will be free to use it without the fear of contamination.
All the ridiculous opposition to any action which restricts an action is blind to the other freedoms we gain from that restriction. With a stronger social safety net, people will be able to take more risks to pursue their passions without endangering their own livelihoods or those of the people who depend on them. Allowing people to fulfill themselves is definitely worth the cost of a few more dollars in taxes.
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