Our country's founders went to war specifically for the ideals of freedom and fair treatment by a government that represented them, rather than merely ruled them. Free thought and speech are certainly central features of that -- but they felt many more things were essential to being Free.
"Freedom" sounds rah-rah patriotic because it is both TRULY patriotic, and also used as weasel-words by those who are wanting to do the things we would consider un-american ("preserve your freedom and safety by groping you at all airports and train stations...", "detain indefinitely foreigners For Your Freedoms", etc).
Consider re-reading America's Declaration of Independence, or reading it for the first time if you never have. It's remarkably easy to understand, and pretty clearly states some of the ideals that the original "Americans" felt were reason enough to go to war with England.
"Freedom" sounds rah-rah patriotic because it is both TRULY patriotic, and also used as weasel-words by those who are wanting to do the things we would consider un-american ("preserve your freedom and safety by groping you at all airports and train stations...", "detain indefinitely foreigners For Your Freedoms", etc).
Consider re-reading America's Declaration of Independence, or reading it for the first time if you never have. It's remarkably easy to understand, and pretty clearly states some of the ideals that the original "Americans" felt were reason enough to go to war with England.