Don't Think We're Living In A Police State? Wendy McElroy Will Tell You Why You're Wrong
McElroy writes at Mises:
A police state is more commonly described as a totalitarian government that exerts extreme social, political, and economic control. It maintains this control by a pervasive surveillance of its own citizenry, by draconian law enforcement, and by granting or withholding "privileges" such the ability to travel. Typically, there is a special police force, such as a Stasi, that operates with no transparency and few restraints. Unlike traditional policemen, who respond to crime, the purpose of such state police is to monitor and control society.Let me restate my opening question: does America now embody this common description of a police state?
Clearly it does. The American government exerts extreme control over society, down to dictating which foods you may eat. Its economic control borders on the absolute. It politicizes and presides over even the traditional bastion of privacy -- the family. Camera and other surveillance of daily life has soared, with the Supreme Court recently expanding the "right" of police to perform warrantless searches. Enforcement is so draconian that the United States has more prisoners per capita than any other nation; and over the last few years, the police have been self-consciously militarizing their procedures and attitudes. Travel, formerly a right, is now a privilege granted by government agents at their whim. Several huge and tyrannical law-enforcement agencies monitor peaceful behavior rather than respond to crime. These agencies operate largely outside the restrictions of the Constitution; for example, the TSA conducts arbitrary searches in violation of Fourth Amendment guarantees.
via Popehat
In addition to its army, navy, air force, marines, coast guard, national guard and lesser forces, the US gov now also has nearly 100 agencies with heavily armed SWATs.
What agencies? The Department of Education, to name just one with zero justification. The DOE Inspector General avoids calling it a SWAT (what's in a name?) but uses it to break down doors at 6 AM just like a SWAT. And it's hand-picked with a staff of bullies taught they are superior to the US Constitution, like every SWAT.
And all 50 states have expensively equipped para-military SWAT teams, as do the vast majority of town, city, and county police forces.
Hitler needed claws of control like this; Stalin needed it. But the White House?
What are they afraid of? Do they fear that one day a nation of sheep will wake up really pissed that invaders have taken over their government and they want it back?
Rey Barry at July 24, 2013 4:10 AM
As I recall, the DoE's not-SWAT team broke down someone's door at 6am looking for a person who had simply defaulted on her student loan.
Dastardly crime! Worse, the person they were looking for was not at home. You can read the Washington Post's correction, since the original story called the agents a SWAT team. A link in the story goes over to reason.com, and DoE claims they weren't after the suspect because of the default, but for criminal charges. Maybe someone will file a FOIA request asking for an update on the case?
I'm still curious why they saw the need to kick in someone's door that early for over fraud or theft? this isn't the Marshall's service going after dangerous fugitives.
Of course, we've always been at war with EastAsia, Rey Barry!
I R A Darth Aggie at July 24, 2013 6:58 AM
Since the government can arrest you for something as innocuous as owing on a late medical bill (http://www.npr.org/2011/12/12/143274773/unpaid-bills-land-some-debtors-behind-bars) how many of the broke and unemployed millions will end up behind bars when they can't comply with the Obamacare individual mandate?
. at July 24, 2013 8:16 AM
Government, no matter how small, will end up like this, and worse. Without fail.
Bill S Preston, Esquire at July 24, 2013 9:19 AM
Cop Fired for Speaking Out Against Ticket and Arrest Quotas
Jim P. at July 24, 2013 9:43 AM
She forgot to list thought crimes. Totalitarian governments tell you what you are allowed to think and say. I think a case can be made that we do have thought crimes in America.
Bill O Rights at July 24, 2013 12:18 PM
That is the Politically Correct movement. You are racist because you use "black male about 5'10" and 160 pounds" to describe your attacker. That's racist. No, it is a description.
Jim P. at July 24, 2013 7:59 PM
http://dailycaller.com/2013/07/24/obama-promises-executive-actions-on-the-economy/
It's over. Dear Leader will force the economy to produce for the proles.
Stinky the Clown at July 25, 2013 9:06 AM
Yesterday I went to CVS to buy some nail polish remover. I picked out acetate remover on the pre-soaked pads. The kid at the counter asked for my ID. I gave her my driver's license, but it's out-of-country so the computer wouldn't take it. I showed her my passport card, an expired university faculty ID, everything... she would have sold it to me but the computer wouldn't let me.
Nail polish remover.
NicoleK at July 25, 2013 4:07 PM
Amy Alkon
https://www.advicegoddess.com/archives/2013/07/dont-think-were.html#comment-3820075">comment from NicoleKInsane, NicoleK.
Amy Alkon
at July 25, 2013 4:25 PM
Apparently I'm a teenager who wants to get high on nail polish remover. And making a bunch of international fake IDs is cheaper and easier than getting real drugs.
I'm flattered.
NicoleK at July 25, 2013 6:05 PM
My birthday is either 6/6/66 of 6/9/69 anymore. I pull out my card and hold it in my hand. If they want to look at it closer they either have to lean closer or just take my word for it.
Frankly FUCK ANY CORPORATION that is bowing down to shit.
Jim P. at July 25, 2013 8:00 PM
Nicole, that's funny in a pathetic sort of way. I forget where you live, but here I can go to Home Depot and buy a big can of acetone, and nobody says boo to me.
Cousin Dave at July 26, 2013 7:07 AM
I'm currently visiting the metro Boston area. This is apparently a stupid MA law... and it's only for the pads, not for the liquid remover in a bottle.
NicoleK at July 28, 2013 5:56 AM
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