That was not my initial premise. My premise was that people believe the TSA keeps them safe. They also believe that having the streets swarming with cops, possessing wide discretionary powers and a code book so large that it can’t be fit into the back of a squad car keeps them safe.
So the premise is that Americans BELIEVE that tyranny can be tolerated if, (drum roll please) if keeps them safe.
See? That’s why it’s hard to get rid of the TSA. Polling still supports the TSA, and it’s strengthened standards. Because people want to be very very safe. If the government has to stick it’s finger up your kids butt so be it.
The other side of my argument is that this was started under the Bush administration. Most conservatives supported it because Bush was “their guy”.
It was short sighted to believe that.
I believe what you are trying to say is that Americans BELIEVE that tyranny can be tolerated if they believe it keeps them safe.
I understand your premise, but I also believe that there are limits regarding what Americans will put up with. One unique thing about Americans is that we have guns, and eventually, one will get to the point that the only thing that can be relied upon for safety is his/her gun. Also in their quest for safety, Americans will reach a point where the biggest threat to their safety is their government. Then what? Will they tolerate more authoritarianism? Or will they rebel against it? I suspect the latter is true.