The Illusion of Democracy | Who Really Controls our Lives

Life is about choice. What we eat, what we read, who we elect; every day we make choices that determine how we want to live. But what if these choices are just an illusion? In an era where regulations and red tape rule every industry, where lobby groups and big business wield more influence than ever before, our daily choices have become increasingly limited. Focusing on key areas such as food, medicine, finance, and media, Freedom From Choice provides viewers with a glimpse at the myriad of ways their lives are being dictated, and tells us who stands to gain.

Director: Tim Delmastro
Full Documentary
Original Title: Freedom from Choice (2014)

[J.e.f.f.r.e.y]

Having two political parties that are essentially the same and spend all their time arguing over frivolous things to cause distraction while they do what they want. That’s the illusion of democracy.

[AlbertFleming-ue]

Why is lobbying even legal? Isn't it just another word for "corruption"?. Love your documentary! Live to serve life, not hijacked narratives.

[project_jdm]

"Well, we know what they want. They want more for themselves and less for everybody else, but I'll tell you what they don’t want: They don’t want a population of citizens capable of critical thinking. They don’t want well informed, well educated people capable of critical thinking. They’re not interested in that." - George Carlin

Carlin's specials always resonated with me, but this bit always stood out to me.

[genrcflyer]

When I was a kid, we drank raw milk all the time, sometimes while we were milking the cows by hand. We had about 500 chickens and if we came across an egg with a embryo in it, we just gave it to the cats. We still drink raw, untreated water from our 130 year old hand dug well. Had a bucket with a tin cup hanging on its side for drinking water. Everyone drank from that bucket using the same cup. We carried all of our water until 1966, had a two holer out north of the house and 3 wood stoves for heat on the ground floor. Got so cold frost formed on the inside of the windows but didn't matter as snug in a goose down mattress. Big garden, had credit at the grocery store where we traded eggs and meat for necessary items. By modern standards, were poor as dirt but didn't know it. Everyday life was never boring as it had purpose.

[ingoditrust]

I am thankful to such thought provoking documentaries because they tell me I'm not crazy. I'm a sane person in a crazy world.

[brentmckee]

Lobbying is absolutely another word for corruption. Politicians should be held personally accountable for their failed decisions.

[scrumptiousjdp]

I am so grateful to the small farmers and everyone who supports them

[thee_undertaker]

I breathed while watching this. I hope i don't get arrested for unauthorized use of air.

[uberDukkha]

"As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome." Chomsky

[David_a_journeyman_curmudgeon]

What's truly frightening: there is no shortage of men and women who would happily enforce unjust laws with zeal.

[UncleBuZ]

The greatest illusion is the illusion of choice.

[curly]

I was a school district business manager for decades and lost several jobs for holding the line and not allowing corruption.
I was astounded by the level of corruption at all levels; Federal, State, County, City, School district, schools and unions.

I had people ask me what I lol. Well to serve my district and to have the work ethic that I am working directly for Jehovah God. God will judge me, I want to stand unashamed before Him as much as is possible.

Theft is not a sin that tempts me; why should I take on another sin that I have to battle? The love of money is the root of much evil.

- A Kings kid

[genericwatcher]

I live in an area where we have a farmers grocery store, it is a year round farmers market under roof where a single grocery store gathers and sells the products from the local farmers. Raw milk, meat that is butchered, salted and packaged, milk, eggs, chicken, fruits and vegetables. I no longer eat potato chips or any processed food. ALL my health problems have gone away, I have lost 20 pounds and my mental clarity is like it was in my 20's. When you get rid of all the crap food in your diet, you have more money to eat "real" food that is actually healthy for you, so the per item cost might be higher, but the snacking and crap you used to eat is gone, so your weekly grocery bill is the same or less. Win, Win for your health and wallet.

[andersonfranco]

"Be skeptical about everything you put
in your body" that's a lesson for life

[garryfitzgerald]

"To be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society is no meassure of health". - Jiddu Krishnamurti

[lukasmiller]

More than ever Americans need to hear this message.

[MindovermatterQED]

Why is lobbying even legal? Isn't it just another word for "corruption"?

[PurplePerinaise]

I think realising that we were never free is the most useful place to start if we want to ever be collectively aware enough of our situation to make a change

[yvonnemunyan]

Thank you, great documentary. It should be shown to all schools. To allow the next generation to know what they are really eating.

[leochen]

At 85 and a retired aerospace engineer, one important lesson that I've followed is To Live Within My Means. Even then, what with inflation, especially in food, in gasoline, in taxes, in utilities, and in insurance -- making ends meet is an uphill battle! I'm frugal but what are considered "Necessities" are becoming Unaffordable, if truth be told.