Very important observation regarding freedom being a range, not a true/false.
You also have to remember, that not everyone wants to be free. Everyone says they do, but they do not fully understand what it means to be free, and what the cost of freedom is. Freedom goes hand in hand with personal responsibility. You cannot have one without the other. The very thought of being truly responsible for their own life scares a lot of people. They want the government to be there and "take care of them". They want to hear the soothing sound of government whispering in their ear: "don't worry, we are here, everything is fine, you are safe".
A lot of people are lazy that way. There is an old saying which is very good. More than anything, people want to "have their cake, and eat it, too". Everyone wants freedom, but few are ready to accept the responsibility that comes with it.