We’ve all heard the words democracy and freedom used countless times in the media and by politicians.

George Orwell wrote about “meaningless words” that are endlessly repeated in the political arena. Words like “freedom,” “democracy,”and “justice,” Words that have been abused so long that their original meanings have been lost. Here in the United States, Americans have been conditioned to accept the word “democracy”as a synonym for freedom, and not to be questioned.

The problem is that democracy is not freedom. Democracy is rule of the majority, which is inherently incompatible with real freedom. Our founding fathers understood this, as evidenced not only by our republican constitutional system, but also by their writings.

I am not attempting to provide a lesson on government and politics, but it is easy to draw an analogy relating to our personal freedom.  In a democratic society, the mob is persuaded to follow the path of least resistance — a path accepted by the majority. The majority has been conditioned to believe that they should get a good education so they can get a good secure job and maybe in forty years, exit the work world. What is secure these days?

I wrote in a previous post about this “industrial age” philosophy: “Get a good education, so you can get a good job. Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, and Thomas Edison, among others, never graduated from college.  I am not saying, don’t finish high school or go to college. I am pointing out that traditional education is not the only ingredient for successful businesses.”

Individual freedom comes with a cost. When we choose to pursue financial freedom and time freedom we will always encounter resistance by the majority who will say — it can’t be done. The path of most resistance has fewer travelers, but the rewards far out weigh the struggles.

Today is July 4th when millions will celebrate the independence of the United States of America.  History has taught us that true freedom comes with a price. Make the rest of 2009 a celebration in advance of your personal independence and financial freedom.  Stay focused on the prize of freedom and you will overcome the obstacles and receive the rewards.