Revolution? It Can’t Happen Here

Over the past several years – and the last several months in particular – this country has made an extreme left turn toward an increasingly statist form of government. At what point will we the People pass the threshold of tolerance? What will it take to stir the passions of revolution against a largely intrusive and unapologetic government? Is it really hard to imagine widespread civil unrest that can lead to outright rebellion in this country?

Consider this very feasible, but currently fictional, chain of events.

As the recession worsens, more people lose jobs, homes – their life savings. The Obama administration and Congress fail to enact policies to help reverse the continuing collapse of the market. In fact, they add to it by increasing spending, taxes, regulations, and the number of government agencies. There is no confidence in consumers or investors. Many wonder whether the lack of direction by political leaders and the subsequent deterioration of the economy and society are intentional, and the population grows restless waiting for reasonable action and policies from Washington.

A new massive spending or bailout bill is proposed. The market falls 500 points that same day. The People’s anxiety and disbelief at the ineptitude of the government turns into panic and anger. There is still no sign of real solutions to allow the markets to recover.

As the outrage sets in, new rallies and protests – like the various “tea parties” that recently took place – are organized around the country. At several of these events, frustration boils over and some sort of mild violence breaks out – maybe some vandalism or a few altercations. The police quell the light outbursts and the rallies end without major incident, but they’re more alert and ready for the next protests.

Soon afterward, the People learn about widespread fraud and waste as a consequence of the trillions of dollars of taxpayer money being thrown to multitudes of public and private entities. Six months into the new administration, the economy is still contracting. Two million more jobs have been lost. The Dow Jones Industrial Average is at 5,000 and still sliding. A new “assault” weapon ban – which was hidden in other legislation that was fast-tracked through Congress – has just been signed into law, and it even has a restriction on the amount of ammunition each individual can purchase.

Popular opinion of the government rapidly declines – surprisingly, even lower than it is now. Citizens have lost what little trust they had in their public officials.

A new set of nationwide rallies are scheduled in major cities around the country. Municipal riot police gear up. Protesters feel like they’re being intimidated for exercising their right to assemble. Otherwise peaceful citizens feel they are at their wit’s end and start to become unruly. At one of the events a speaker calls for a march on City Hall. The police interpret it as “inciting violence” and shut down the rally. Cooler heads do not prevail.

Tear gas is deployed, arrests are made, and many are injured in the ensuing chaos. In a panic among the thousands gathered, one woman is trampled under the crowd and nearly dies. The video is broadcast on the national and cable news.

After months of being ignored by their representatives, millions across the country see the tragic event as the final straw. New and larger protests are organized for the coming weeks. Many are banned by local and state officials for fear of public safety. A few are allowed, but a police and National Guard presence will be substantial.

Meanwhile, many arrests are made nationwide as law enforcement agencies crack down on those whom they believe are inciting violence at protests. Others are arrested for new gun violations. It’s also learned that the police officers acted improperly at the rally where the woman was crushed. It becomes a rallying cry against the power of the state.

Congress continues spending money that nobody has. The FCC implements a new policy to shut down talk radio as a result of what they assume to be the root of public anger.

In international news, a new video is released by Osama bin Laden calling for a renewed Jihad against the West. Iran kicks IAEA inspectors out of the country. Israel’s new government begins hinting at air strikes to take out Iran’s nuclear facilities. The war escalates in Afghanistan. Nuclear Pakistan becomes more unstable. Hugo Chavez signs a treaty with Russia – and Cuba joins in. Mexico’s drug wars continue to spill over our Southern border. The Obama administration stresses increased diplomacy on all fronts.

The public begins to worry once again about security. The government does little to ease their angst.

New talks begin over a global treaty to coordinate economies and currencies “to help the global markets recover.”

The Dow nears 4,000 points. AIG finally goes under after receiving over $200 billion in bailouts. GM files for bankruptcy. Bank of America’s executives are under investigation and some are indicted. Unemployment soars toward fifteen percent. Another new tax scandal is reported in the Obama cabinet as revenues to the government fall short of their projected levels. The new health care legislation is passed at a cost of one trillion dollars over the first ten years. Cap-and-trade legislation is signed into law as utility prices increase dramatically.

After a long summer of further economic decline and daily reports of fraud and waste from the previous stimulus bills and bailouts, Congress passes a new bill saddling taxpayers for another trillion dollars. Since lawmakers aren’t listening anyway, the time for talk expires. The date of the new protests arrives. Over a half million people march on Washington D.C. and are met by walls of police, as promised.

Citizens who have lost everything come to the rally with the intent of being heard – or of being felt. They direct their rage at the only government employees available – the police. Many more who are caught up in the fervor of the crowd join in. A riot in the nation’s Capitol ensues. Hundreds are injured and arrested and several protesters and police are killed. Other cities experience similar riots. Threats of violence come in to federal representatives and the White House. The Capitol is locked down.

We see the video on television. We hear the insolent Congressmen calling for restrictions on “hate speech” and demanding prosecutions of protesters. An executive order is signed to ready the military for domestic mobilization if needed. Some orders are refused by high-ranking officers and commanders. They’re quickly court-martialed and replaced. Many other officers and enlisted men and women retire or go AWOL. Our defense capabilities are destabilized. Appointments to top positions are made by the administration…people he can “trust” – people we can’t.

Protests are banned across the country. Several states openly speak of secession. Private and state militias around the nation begin to assemble. Federal agencies under the command of the executive branch raid homes of militia members and protest organizers, arrest them, and confiscate weapons.

A deep rift divides the already polarized and tense nation. The federal government continues to crack down on citizens’ freedoms while doing little to quell anxiety about the economy and the streets. The country is ripe for revolution.

Does this really sound unimaginable? Is it so far out there to believe that a chain of events similar to this absolutely cannot happen?

We are already seeing an economic meltdown and the leaders in Washington either don’t understand it, or they want it to continue. The People have no confidence in their solutions to date. The proposed agenda and the costs associated with it for this year alone are staggering. The administration appears to have no clue what they’re doing. Their solution is to raise taxes and to exponentially expand the government. This administration and Congress is trying to move their agenda quickly and somewhat secretly in order to avoid scrutiny.

Around the world, it doesn’t look much better. The situations in Afghanistan and Pakistan have been deteriorating for many months. Iran has the material needed for making a nuclear weapon. Israel has a new nationalist-leaning government. North Korea wants to test new missiles. Mexico is battling drug cartels – and not doing too well with them. Venezuela just abolished term limits for Chavez and the Russians have showed very much interest in him. Yet, Obama’s foreign policy has so far been in “review” status.

However, Obama is advocating for a Palestinian state and it appears that he wants to make a deal with the Russians to eliminate the missile defense shield in Eastern Europe.

With all of the tension, instability, and anxiety, it won’t take much to whip up public passions. There are already people out there calling for more “tea parties.” How much longer will it be before one of these events gets big enough and attracts the wrong actors? What would the public response be to a run-in with the police? With the right mixture of emotions, economic turmoil, and a feeling of being ignored and intimidated by the government, one little spark can ignite a fire that swiftly rips through the nation.

This article is not meant to scare anyone. Its purpose is to awaken us from our slumber. The “it can’t happen here” mentality is utterly naïve. Some of the things mentioned are happening at this very moment. We all need to at least be aware and prepared if this type of scenario plays out.

Your government is not your friend. Those in charge today are pushing for a radical shift in federal laws and policies – and they are succeeding. They have a specific goal and they want it to be realized. If we don’t wake up and try to change their direction and if our economic and foreign situations don’t show signs of improvement soon, then this can become a very realistic scenario.

The statist revolution has already begun. Sooner or later, the resistance to it will commence.