Compare and Contrast

I come from the land of the free. Yes America. Now I am in SE Asia in Cambodia. Supposedly a country that lacks the freedom of America. I thought an interesting entry would be to compare and contrast the the two vastly different countries.

Taxes
The vast majority of Cambodians have never paid taxes. Only the small middle class and super rich pay taxes. I don't know of any forms for personal taxes. 

Now in America if you don't pay taxes someone with a gun will show up and ask why. You may  well I don't make enough to file taxes. Well they will break into your house and bank accounts to make sure you did not make enough to pay taxes.

School 
So if you don't want your children to go to school. Well there is nothing to say. It is up to you and your child weather they want a good life and go to school. Many are too poor and must generate income for the family to eat. There are also some who simply do not want to go and they don't go.

Well most know what happens if you don't go to school in the free country. Yes they have a jail cell with your child's name and possibly yours too. Yes in the land of the free you are forced to go to school. If you beg the state you can teach your child at home. You may also if rich enough send them to a private school if the government approves.

Trade
The market is free. You have people without government permission, going from door to door selling goods. Fruit, household goods, meats, mobile restaurants all trolling the streets providing their neighbor with what they want and need. They don't pay taxes as all family owned businesses are exempt from paying taxes.
In Americas even if you could make money with some door to door product. You must register with the government, pay taxes and meet the requirements of your business. The government would put a stop to the barely usable equipment use by the Khmer street sellers. All used to protect the well established businesses.

Driving
In the US the police do not take bribes. While I try to choke back my laughter, you can say they at least don't collect their bribe on the street. The days of giving breaks to drivers who make mistakes are over. They need the non-bribe money to support their at least adequate salaries and other city services. Sometime is even for road safety.
I could go on about this a bit but even without harming anyone or even having the potential to harm anyone they can ruin your life. With the guise of public safety they strip their citizen of money for even the smallest of infractions. Need that money.

Medicine
Lets say you get sick and you are pretty sure you know the medicine you need. The American government requires you visit a high priced doctor. You pay him your $100 and tell him what medicine you would like. He takes your temperature and pokes you a few time and usually give you the medicine you needed in the first place.
If you are really sick on the other hand, America is the place to be. Oh but they will refuse you service if you don't have money. Yeah that is rich. They refuse you service and you die your children will be set for life.
If you are sick in Cambodia and you know what you need. You walk or ride to the pharmacy and buy the drugs you need. Almost any drug and if you don't know what you the pharmacist will help you buy suggesting drugs that suit your needs.

I could go on. Later I might but most parts of your day to day life is left alone in the supposedly less free country. In the free country, not so much. You need permission to go pee. I am not be metaphorical. When you pee in the wrong place they may arrest you or fine you. While some of the safety nets provided by the government are nice. If you really think about it, is the US really the land of the free?