Does anyone else feel that our government (U.S.) is becoming more like Orwell's "1984"?

Question

Is it just me, or does it seem like every day we are more censored and monitored? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Answer 1

I believe it is the ultimate goal: Total control. I agree with a statement from some years ago, which stated when fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross. Instead of Big Brother, we'll have "Jesus Is Watching You."
We already have the concept of Perpetual War in place: The war on terror. This is even better than the Cold War. Historians knew the Cold War would end, because the USSR was doomed from its inception; communism would collapse under its own weight.
Now we have terrorism, and it's perfect: An amorphous, shadowy enemy, with no real country. And we can add enemy countries whenever we need to. Since it is a fight between Christianity and Islam, with so many true believers on each side, we can keep this going practically forever. The defense contractors and their Wall St. backers are salivating over this. All those new weapons orders will keep them in the black forever, and there is always the possibility of new weapons development, and fat appropriations checks. Ready for more $10,000 toilet seats, folks?
We also have the Christian right-wing oversight of the media, which they will insist until their dying breath has a "liberal bias." Whenever something happens on TV, they get some housewives from Michigan to start writing letters of protest, to "protect the children." Protecting children (who don't really need protecting) is a great way to censor things.
Now we hear there was a friendly fire incident, in which a British soldier was killed by an American helicopter. It was covered up for four years. My guess is they were hoping for a way to rewrite this to make it look like "the other side did it." We've been rewriting inconvenient history in this country for years (look at the way the Christians try to claim we are a "Christian nation founded by Christians," in spite of the massive evidence to the contrary). It's going to get worse, trust me.
It's taken 23 years, but 1984 is just over the horizon.

*My apologies for being long-winded.*

Answer 2

Absolutely is it. For example, fascism is a politico-economic system in which there is: total executive branch control of both the legislative and administrative powers of government; no independent judiciary; no Constitution that embodies the Rule of Law standing above the people who run the government; no inherent personal rights or liberties; a single national ideology that first demonizes and then criminalizes all political, religious, and ideological opposition to it; and total corporate determination of economic, fiscal, and regulatory policy.

Answer 3

Alot of people have concerns but I think they've a long way to go in that respect.

Fortunately there are quite a few checks and balances in the American system, so you hope it will never go bad. That said, in the end, maintaining the system does depend on individuals.

Answer 4

Yes I do. It makes you wonder if Orwell was writing a "How to" book or a warning. I doubt if it matters as no one seems to be listening.