Mills and Marx.

With regards to the stances that Mills and Marx take regarding freedom of people under a ruling government, i would tend to agree with a little bit of both.

Ideally, I think Mills concept of freedom is the best because he feels as long as people aren't being coerced by the state, then they are free. I think this is probably the closest definition to absolute freedom because he doesn't take into account economics as Marx does. After reading his passages in the text book, I think his idea of freedom is what most people think of as living free. Generally, I feel that as long as I am not harming myself or anyone else, then i should be able to do what i want.

However, capitalism is the driving force behind the U.S.'s economy so that is why I also believe in Marx's definition of freedom. As we know, money is equated with power, especially in America. It seems that one can almost get away with anything if they have money. Take the OJ Simpson trial for example. Obviously I was not there and didn't witness the murder, but in my opinion, the evidence was enough to convict him of the crime but he was acquitted because he could afford a high price lawyer. Let's also take Magic Johnson. He had acquired HIV and since he is wealthy, he could afford all the high-priced drugs to keep him alive but there are millions of poor people who die everyday from the disease because they cannot afford the medication. 

I definitely would want a government who would protect me if another wealthy individual, or company, tried to force me to do something simply because they had money than me, and therefore more power than me.