Something has happened, something has changed, and nobody seems to be really talking about it. I think because it is almost to subtle to articulate, and too pervasive to clearly see. That is the way police and other "authorities" interact with the people of our country. I'm sure many of you have watched the old "Andy of Mayberry" program. ...
Contrast the way Andy dealt with people, which wasn't all that far afield back then, with what we accept now as normal police behavior. Contrast it with the police confrontation at the end of Meet the Faukers. When did it happen that the police wouldn't talk to you, could scream at you and order you to the ground and arrest you for trying to simply talk to them or tell your side of whatever is going on. I understand "taking command" of an altercation, but that is a long way from screaming "Obey my every syllable" instantly or I can beat you to the ground, spray Mace in your face, or zap you with a Tazer. And I can do it again and again after you are subdued, because it is after all, non-lethal most of the time. Maybe I'm old, but I remember when the police treated you with dignity and respect as long as you did the same. Now all they accept is absolute immediate obedience. When did they become my master? I understand (and abhor) the militarization of the police via SWAT teams, but when and why did the "peace keepers" adopt their attitude toward "civilians", . When did civilian become a pejorative? When did they come to out rank me?
I see this same demeanor in other government interactions. How did it become a felony violation to lie to ANY government official, while perfectly acceptable for them to lie to me? Unless I'm under oath, I think I can say any damned thing I want. Why not, they do. Where do I get my Liars license? Now I read that all of my communications Must be made such that it can be monitored. When did we sign up for that. I remember when even the mail was sacrosanct. We can't be allowed do anything that can't be intercepted and tracked. When did the convenience of the police become a requirement in my every activity? I understand that banks are being forced to report All cash transactions (they are , I hear, fighting this, but only because of cost, not from moral outrage). Did we ever agree that we give up our personal privacy when we venture out of our homes? I remember when being alone was private, not just when I am actively hidden. And this business of secret laws, secret courts, and now secret torture; that never used to be. Ignorance of the law should be a pretty damned good excuse these days.
How is it that they can now look in my bag, empty my pockets, take off my shoes, test my urien, breath, hair, sample my DNA, sift my trash? I hear now that my restaurant should serve smaller meals and use less salt. Maybe the slopes are slipperier then we thought. Maybe we should demand our liberty, demand to be treated with respect. Maybe we should demand to be treated as free. Maybe we should do it now.