When I first started spending time here in Germany 25 years ago I used to be quite smug as an American believing that the Germans had sold out individual liberty for group security. I used to say that they have taken the wrong lessons from World War II and favored the state over the individual in virtually every instance. I liked to point out to my German neighbors the idea that individual liberty was the foundation stone of the American experience.
I do not any longer feel the facts on the ground in American justify me in saying any of these things anymore. I no longer believe the people in Germany are less free than people in America. I no longer believe that America is substantially more free than Germany. I don't think I have changed.
God help us one and all.
