This is a facet of American culture that I've always found interesting... Self determination is a very core part of what I, an outsider, see as American-ism. B

This is a facet of American culture that I've always found interesting... Self determination is a very core part of what I, an outsider, see as American-ism. But self determination only seems to apply to government interference, not private. For example, in the US organisations like HOAs (Homeowners Associations) and employers are allowed to encroach on what from my perspective I consider personal freedoms, but people accept it in the US because they're non-governmental in origin. Here in Europe, freedom is freedom. It is irrelevant who is telling you you cannot paint your home orange be it local government, a private entity, or your next door neighbour. But in the US freedom only applies to government, private entities are allowed to violate people however they want under the guise of "choice." What I've found in my life is that choice is a perk of the wealthy. The poor often lack choice.