Liberty, Equality, And Democracy In America

In America we have 3 essential elements of our political culture: Liberty, equality, and democracy. Everyone has the right to freedom, as long as that freedom does not interfere with other citizens individual rights. You can’t have true liberty without equality, “with liberty and justice for all”. Equality means everyone the opportunity of liberty. America is a democracy, meaning citizens have the right and responsibility to vote officials into office. The concepts of liberty and equality often come into conflict in American politics. Some recent conflicts have included arguments over women’s reproductive rights.
One conflict that arise between the values of “liberty” and “equality” is women’s reproductive rights and/or abortion. Women should

have individual rights to choose contraception and/or abortions. These women also have the right to their privacy. These services should be available for women so that they can make their own decisions. There is also a liberty argument for religious conservatives such as abortion is wrong because it goes against religious values and how it degrades America. The religious conservatives also believe since America is a democracy they believe that they have the right to vote against such procedures. “Roe (Roe v. Wade 1973) stood for the proposition that pregnant women have a "personal liberty" right to choose to terminate their pregnancies… such a right by erecting barriers that effectively prevent the exercise of that choice”(Annas). Proponents of reproductive rights are that preventing these rights take away valid choices from women. Women should be able to choose for themselves. Religious beliefs cannot override someone’s right to choose. This debate will have to settle with an agreement that satisfies both sides.
There are several controversies that are happening today over the values “liberty” and “equality”. In June of 2015 the Supreme Court ruled that same-sex marriage is constitutional. Kim Davis, a Kentucky clerk, denied issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples because this went against her Christian belief. As she has the liberty to exercise her belief, she is allowed to do so as long as it doesn’t infringe against other citizens beliefs. “When federal judge David Bunning declared that people cannot be allowed "to choose what orders they follow" just because their conscience tells them to -- religious faith, he said, "is not a viable of defense”" (Fish). Since same-sex marriage is considered constitutional now, she is taking away their right to get married. Equality means in this controversy homosexual or heterosexual that everyone can get married. On February 10, 2015, 3 muslim UNC students were shot execution style because of their muslim beliefs. "No one in the United States of America should ever be targeted because of who they are, what they look like, or how they worship” - President Obama. People cannot infringe upon other’s people rights. Even though the shooter has the liberty to not agree with their muslim religion, his belief shouldn’t violate their rights. (Siddiqui).
Many controversies arise over the concepts of liberty and equality. The gay marriage and women’s rights help define democracy. As a country we need to try and find a solution that satisfy’s everyone.