For decades, many governments around the world have considered security a top priority for their countries and citizens, particularly the U.S. government. Even though some senior officials place liberty before security, they realize that security must be achieved before the average citizen approaches the concept of acquiring liberty. HL Mencken states that the average citizen will prefer security to freedom. The average citizen can be defined as a person who prefers to put their security before others, even for the sake of their freedom; however, an extraordinary citizen risks his or her life for the safety and freedom of others. As Alexander Hamilton said: “Safety from external dangers is the most powerful engine of national conduct. Even the ardent love of freedom will eventually yield to its dictates. Hamilton asserts that in the face of external dangers, safety comes first and that American citizens will accept certain limitations on freedoms for their safety. Furthermore, Hamilton states that the love of freedom eventually becomes overtaken by the need for security. The average American citizen prefers security to freedom; this is affirmed by the citizen's desire to protect themselves by all necessary means against cultural, territorial and terrorist threats. The average American citizen needs the protection of his or her variety of cultural beliefs and customs from possible threats. In contemporary American society, a citizen's local police and national government subject a citizen to follow the rules of his or her community when he or she is able to make decisions that may affect others. Every citizen is born with absolute freedom, but every person must claim some of their rights for the well-being of their community... middle of paper ...... an average citizen must feel safe before they want it . to achieve freedom because they would not want to be free without the security around them because after achieving freedom they will always worry about their security. However, HL Mencken proposes security ideals for the average citizen and not for extraordinary citizens, willing to risk their lives for the safety and freedom of their fellow citizens. Therefore, the average citizen would choose security over freedom to protect themselves just in case. cultural, territorial and terrorist threats. The average citizen understands that security must precede freedom, because without feeling safe, he cannot think of freedom. As Arnold Schwarzenegger said, “[the] first duty and highest obligation of government is public safety.” Liberty must become a second priority when competing with public safety.