Governments are ALWAYS about control, that's the point. Some are way worse than others. Personally I have no desire to see anything like McCarthyism floating back to the top of the tank. (way too late for that hope I'm sure)
Freedom is a cornerstone in the foundation of the hodge podge building we call America. Still the ideals are by no means fully enacted and freedom is disappearing in the name of "safety and security".
Emotional maturity and a strong set of personal values, dare I ask for BRAVERY since everything is so "scary", and how about some tolerance and willingness to live and let live.
I remember when we had 3 TV channels in black and white with rabbit ears antenna, a party line telephone for the neighborhood, and lived on a dirt road. I remember spending most of my time outside along with all of the other neighborhood kids. I remember when my parents knew and interacted with my friends parents and we all helped each other as actual neighbors building neighborhoods for real. I remember the massive crowd of people that gathered at our house and cried with us when my mother passed away and all of the mothers that stepped up the best they could, as time and life went on to try and fill that gap for us. People actually seemed to genuinely care about each other.
At which point I have to invoke (for better or worse) Ben Franklin:
Those who would give up essential liberty, to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790)
I want to see the entire planet built on LIBERTY.