[IronJack]

the government bloody well can erase fundamental freedoms and replace them with government coercion. That is a contest of wills and brute force.

Sounds pretty scary until you remember that WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT. And there are a lot more of "us" than there are of "them."

They cannot hope to prevail without our cooperation.

[Cboldt]

-- Sounds pretty scary until you remember that WE ARE THE GOVERNMENT. --

In theory, sure. But even in theory, "we" comprises individuals who are pitted against each other. I don't see any meaningful resistance to the power of the government, the prevailing view is to be law abiding, because that's the right way to be.

-- They cannot hope to prevail without our cooperation. --

They are advancing effectively right now, and I suspect against the wishes of a majority of the public.