I agree that our civil liberties could be closed down by a process of erosion and the checks and balances that the founders systematically dismantled, a process IMO started by Bush.
But our democracy is far too resilient and our military and judiciary too independent for any kind of scenario like a violent, total closing-down of the system as happened in European fascism with Mussolini or Hitler. When it comes down to it, I don’t think any American would trust anyone with that kind of power. Imposing regulations on the financial industry or whatnot is hardly a full-blown dictatorship. And look at the trend line of support for the president — even among blacks Obama is on shaky ground. November is only four months away. :)
You are most likely right. My worry is that government could take our freedoms away to the point that elections mean nothing.
If we can’t speak freely or only if our speech is monitored and Ok’d first, if government can regulate away the right to protect ourselves, if our government can mandate that we purchase a product that we may not even want (Obamacare) then what else can they take away? What else can they regulate and force upon us?
Maybe I’m just overreacting and paranoid. I’d hate to be wrong about that though.