Are we truly free?

Americans think they're free, but when you think about it, there's not much we can do without the government's permission. Some examples of what you can't do without the government's permission first are: get married, drive a car on the street, post a sign at your business, sell goods and services, build your house, build your business, sell cigarettes, sell ice cream, sell alcohol, prepare and sell food, and open your business (occupancy permit).

Maybe 1880 was one of the best years in American History. The empire had not been built yet, and every item listed above except "get married" we could do without the government's permission. Also, there was no income tax, no social security, no Medicare or Medicaid, and no Federal Reserve. The lives of Americans were basically untouched by government. Ahh, the good old days.