In what way is the Untied States a "Free Country?"

I've been giving this subject matter some serious thought for the past couple of hours, and i can truly say I'm not trying to make a point, yet, trying to find out what, if any, makes America a free society.

My thoughts started to accumulate after I was being tail gated by a police officer. I was entirely terrified to be pulled over even though I was doing nothing wrong. I know I am just one of many that have a overwhelming fear of authority, but where does this stem from?

On a more political stand point, H.R. 347 Was signed recently. N.D.A.A is in effect and so is the patriot act. America has the largest prison population dwarfing any other country. Most of us work 40 hour weeks and still are struggling to make it in the "real world environment." Religious freedom is a joke as most of are policy's are based on protestan morals, also we have a War on drugs, Yet we still call America a free country?

Wouldn't saying we are free give pretense to the assumption we are by nature inherently owned by someone or something? Optimistic feed back is appreciated.