Is it true that freedom comes only once to a people. And those in world history who have know freedom and then lost it have never known it again?

[Kelley1]

The complete quote is: "Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction. It is not ours by inheritance; it must be fought for and defended constantly by each generation, for it comes only once to a people. Those in world history who have known freedom and then lost it have never known it again." — Ronald Reagan

[Lliam]

No. There are lots of examples of people losing and regaining their freedom.
The Irish liberated themselves from England.
India and Pakistan freed themselves from British colonialism.
Vietnam gained freedom from France and the U. S.
Korea gained independence from Japan and the U. S.
Russia and Eastern Europeans gained independence from the USSR.
South Africa gained independence from the British apartheid regime.
Algeria gained independence from France.

There are many more examples throughout history.

However, with the technology available today, it will be very difficult if not impossible for Americans to regain their freedom once their own government takes complete control.

[888theGreat]

yes, once US goes full on Facist or Socialist , we will never have freedom again. Comparing 1970's to now , I see huge difference. I was free to do most anything I wanted. Say anything. Not now. You could have rifles on a gunrack in your truck. Stay out past midnight. I could buy chewing Tobacco as a kid.

[Dargil]

We get lazy and complacent with it and then slouch into anarchy and absolute rule. Some sort of controlled revolution is needed. For us it will be uprising and balkanization if the Democrats take power in 2028, it will begin then. Buy guns an ammo and buy canned goods. If you have money, convert some of it into low denomination silver coins which will still have value. Folding money will become useless,

[NaultD]

I don't like that. Usa is supposed to be an endless experiment. Pushing the limits of freedom one way or another. Ronald reagan and his economic is why we have one economic disaster every 10 years.

This mindset is why we get this collapses but are rebound after a democratic party elected leader.

[msc545]

It depends on how you define freedom. It is not a unitary concept and it involves many different things. If you could be more specific then it would be easier to answer this question. Have a very generalized response. I would say that when people are not subjected to things like a loss of freedom of speech and freedom of movement and lots of theft, then they tend to want those things again.

[NathanDavis]

there's a few Mexican cities, most of them ports... that have the title of "twice, fourth times Heroic City of"

that's how many times they had to gain back their freedom... lol

[Shiprex]

Not always BUT there are always power plays on under the table.
The UK for example when the Scots had a chance to vote to become an independent nation allowed Scots born British living elsewhere to vote when they wouldn't be affected but refused to allow European residents in Scotland to vote (who would be affected) as well as spread malicious notions about who would and wouldn't be allowed to remain in the country if it were to vote to leave.

[DryGermanGuy]

No, I know more examples in history that are contrary to that. The only fitting example would be Russia after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, that had a chance and lost it.

[NewtoTheSouth]

I think it depends what you mean by freedom. In your opinion, do the French currently have freedom? What about Mexicans? Americans? Iraqis?

The Greeks had some semblance of democracy about 2500 years ago. Then they lost it. Now they are a democracy again. Does that count as losing freedom then regaining it?

[goaded]

No. Countries have lived through terrible times and come out the other side.

It can either be by violence from outside nations, like WWII, or democracy, like Hungary. They didn't quite manage to extinguish the spark.

[AgentG111]

Yeah I would definitely say that ask all the Australians in the Canadians who lost all their guns!

[Snakeyes7]

Tyranny is something you vote in, freedom is something you have to fight and die from so it's better if we never lost it in the first place.

[Sevenpointfive]

just being born, you are born into a system of rules. it doesn't matter who makes them. they exist.

[exitseven]

I believe that is true. Everyone make sure to vote in November. The country can be saved but it will take everyone to save it.

[beefcakebradybatson]

Yes, and we black folk have spent 407 years seeking freedom in America !!!

[Tefix53]

The answer will be short, but yes.