Useful in debate - "freedom" vs. "empowerment"

I recently read this argument against leftists who claim that meeting basic needs is part of “freedom”:

http://www.reddit.com/r/Anarcho_Capitalism/comments/11nfzl/a_good_response_to_assertions_that_freedom/

I find it a pretty useful distinction. This is in part why I have argued in the past that the word freedom is useless. It’s nice to see another take on the subject.