Against the Day, later in the novel. Pynchon comments on American 'freedom". LIVE FREE OR DIE as well as 'free market economy" comes to mind.

[Mark Kohut]

“Well, you’re free, then.” “I’m what?” “I thought Americans knew that
word.” “Believe the word you’re groping for is ‘poor.’” —Against the Day
(Yashmeen and Kit)