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We had this beautiful decade wherein we didn't have to worry about things. Which came to an abrupt close with 9/11.

I'm not someone who believes it was an inside job, but holy shit, did it provide the opportunity to consolidate power and expand what the state does. What's really alarming is that the party of limited government chose to turn us into a surveillance state.

I don’t see that happening before revolt does.

Yes, but say you're the one in power and you have spent the last few decades nanipulating as many people as possible into believing that you're on their side and their enemy is actually the guy trying to raise minimum wages, tax the rich, introduce affordable health care and equal opportunities... what will that revolt look like?

It is so disturbing to observe from afar.

When I get despondent, which is most of the time, I make a point of reminding myself of the many Americans who have been working so hard for decades - no, since the foundation of the US - to slow the rot & to introduce beneficial reforms. Backing these are large swathes of the population, then many more besides who'll step up in support once it really comes to it.

So though there are profound hazards ahead, and so many people grossly harmed already, I retain a lot of faith in the American people to get through all this to forge a healthier future.

Remember: you vastly outnumber those who have been roped into being destructive. You're up against decades of incredibly well-funded plans to dismantle the US, but you are far more adept at avoiding emotive populism than the targets of right-wing propaganda, so your responses have much greater chance of success.

You are a beautiful and strong people, no matter how chewed up with exhaustion and fear almost all of you are, and you will prevail. I love you all, even those who are so ruined by diseased ways of thinking that they've embraced violent hatred against their fellow Americans & everything that is good - they are incredibly dangerous, but victims of the beast they're trying to catch a ride on nonetheless.

I do think that there will be an increase in political violence and I tremble for those trapped in various regions, but I don't think this will tip into either widespread violence, violent revolution, or civil war - the country is so huge and diverse, with too many moving parts - but I can see all kinds of groups finding no choice but to raise the entire arsenal of resistance, from work-to-rule & slowdowns through to meaningful blockades, sabotage and seizures, swaddled with hefty mutual aid, and that this will inspire tens of millions to join in.

Remember too that many people seem wildly oblivious to... everything. Some vote Republican without paying any attention, because something something small government, cut taxes, blah blah. I don't think these will necessarily join in on resistance along with of the rest of you once reality hits (though some will), but I don't think they'll stand in your way and I think they'll swiftly distance themselves from Republicans.

You can do this as a nation. You will win. I hate that you have to, but you will. I love you.

...I don’t see that happening before revolt does.

This has come to my mind many times. I have this gut feeling that a large portion of our population will just come to the end of their rope with nothing to lose. I believe that a massive civilian uprising could begin to dismantle civilization as we know it. It could get ugly here.