JumpinJesus

That's exactly my problem. They're baby steps. There hasn't been a particular freedom removed drastically enough for the majority of the populace to take notice. The Patriot Act was a major step backwards, but not enough people feel that way to make an effective change.

I've always believed that every liberty that is removed is a step too far. I send a lot of emails and I vote. I've never been the kind to walk around with a megaphone or sandwich board, join a march or a militia, so I do what I can in my own way.

Unfortunately, I think you'll find that while everyone agrees that taking any freedom is going too far, some are willing to sacrifice what they personally consider "lesser" freedoms - usually the ones they don't practice themselves, and the bit by bit erosion gets us one step closer to the bleak future you mentioned.

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"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses