Good points. Actually your first paragraph describes the lefts current tactics. They are doing this right now.
Your second paragraph hearkens back to the days of the Roman Empire with the grand circuses and gladiator fights. Again, this is what leftists are currently employing as a national pacifier. But what happens when the welfare checks stop arriving or the banks can’t cash them? What will be the response when grocery stores can’t open their doors because they have no groceries to sell - because the trucks that deliver them couldn’t get fuel?
What will happen if (when) the lights go out?
THe lights going out would be the key to trigger something massive. Most citizens have not a single clue there is even anything wrong. The govt isnt stupid enough to overtly start something i.e. try and squash the 2nd Amendment. That would start violence almost overnight. They will keep using the economic hardships to push people to the breaking point. Once people cant sit home and watch their cable tv they will get restless and when the welfare checks stop then the looting and rioting will begin. People are still too comfortable to do anything other than bitch.