[rdb3]

...but I am beginning to think the growth of the permanent underclass, the ‘takers’, is getting very close to the majority. That is the tipping point.

No need to think. They are already there.

[Leisler]

So, you got the large, ignorant, conditioned mob.
You have their reactionary leadership, soon to take power.
You have legions of lumpen working for, and desperate for their no heavy lifting, short work day, holidays, benefits, pensioned jobs.
You have the financial sector that is now under government command, totally dependent on government license, any bank or financial institute can instantly be shut down upon an ‘examination’.
You have a police/internal security apparatus that will or will not shoot to kill you for, or not for, having a gun, or a joint or something.
You have a monoculture, once lesson learning schools, now really not much more than propaganda factories.

What small percentage of really true belivers were with Lenin? With Hitler? Couldn't happen here. Other than that, things are looking up.

[jamaksin]

And remember, parasites eventually kill their host.

[ArrogantBustard]

I seem to recall reading (on this forum) that the set of “folks who pay zero income tax” is >30% and < 40% of the population. Many of these are essentially the “takers”. I further seem to recall that 0bama’s “tax plans” would increase that set to somewhere in the neighbourhood of 45% of the population. As long as the folks in that set can vote (essentially, can decide how to spend other peoples’ money), socialism is inevitable.