a dictator has to pretty much:
1. disarm the sheeple
2. disrupt then destroy “civil society” (any organized groupings of people other than those controlled by the state -— include here churches, synagogues ... and civic organizations). Substitute state-controlled ones instead
3. seize control over means of communication (spy on telephone, internet, radio communications in particular)
4. then set up spy systems throughout the larger society (such as directing every federal agency and bureau to start doing lots and lots of “undercover” work directly against American citizens in the 57 states)
5. then instruct the children to spy on their parents
....
oh yes,
6. seize the “excess wealth” in society...after all, they didn’t earn it anyway.
What’s the purpose of a dictatorship other than to (enslave and then) sheer the sheeple? Grab that wealth and hide it in Swizz banks or on some offshore atoll somewhere.
Leave the people all impoverished so they will be even more dependent on the state.
That way, they will (so the thinking goes) be less likely to revolt.
And continue to feed then tons and tons of entertainment as diversions, 24/7/365.
Of course, nothing like that could ever happen in USA!
eh?
1. disarm the sheeple
Well, Obama has not done this, but if he starts governing by executive actions is he not acting like a soft core dictator? Ruling by decree?