Just read an interesting, if not terribly well-written essay on The White Rose (German Nazi resistance) and comparisons between Hitler and FDR and, by extension, our current regime. (http://www.fff.org/freedom/fd0703a.asp)
What struck me was that no matter how much the human race evolves, the methods of the oppressor remain the same. Largely because they are still successful. Amplified and continually re-modulated fear is the propagandists' best weapon. Fear of the rich, Jews, terrorists, racists, speculators, a dearth medical care...A frightened populace will gladly give up their freedoms for a little security. I think one of the reasons that people are blind to what's actually happening in America is that they don't see any of the traditional trappings totalitarianism. If 50,000 heavily armed and jack-booted thugs where parading down Pennsylvania Ave. it would be fairly obvious. But American Fascism or Socialism was never going to look like it's German, Italian or Soviet counterparts. It will be cloaked in a $3,000 suit and the promise of security and fairness and an endless supply of prescription drugs and the people will lap it up like mother's milk. By the time they wake up it will be too late.
