What will America look like if current trends continue?
What if big money and big business gain even more control over our government — and over our lives?
What if the executive branch becomes even more authoritarian, to the point where reporters, congressmen and judges become fearful of repercussions? What if more and more laws to control people are introduced, while those at the top break laws with impunity?
If all of these things came to pass … we’d have Turkey today in America.
For those who don’t know, the people of Turkey are in their second week of anti-government protests (which have been mostly ignored in the U.S. media).  What was once a liberal democracy, has turned into an authoritarian police state controlled by business interests.
Frustrated by the actions of Prime Minister Erdogan, the people of Turkey have had enough. Erdogan has been using state power with increasing corruption and brutality, and there have been reports that their press, judiciary and legislature are afraid to speak out against the leadership.
Last week, this all came to a head as about 300 mostly young women gathered in a park to peacefully protest its planned destruction. The official response was so brutal, that it brought 10’s of thousands out into the streets, and has since spread to 78 cities across the country. (it’s been reported that the park’s redevelopment was an inside deal beneficial to the Prime Minister’s in-law)  Let’s pray for a positive outcome.
While differences between Turkey and America remain, recent revelations about NSA spying on all Americans, IRS targeting political groups, and government wire-tapping of news agencies, show that we are heading down the same path.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. 4th Amendment
The reason this clause is in the Constitution, is to protect the people against an authoritarian government. The power of government to tax, imprison and execute is unique, and easily abused. When government can search anybody, anytime, anywhere, people live in fear of their government.
What our government is doing today is making it easy for them to silence, blackmail, or imprison any one of us. With recently revealed technology, anyone who becomes a target will have years of electronic “footprints” for the Feds to analyze and scrutinize. And since most Americans commit Three Felonies a Day, if they want to get you, they’ll be able to get you.
What’s really criminal, is that these secret policies have been put in place in the first place, with the full knowledge and consent of judges and elected officials. What’s really criminal, is not the whistle blower breaking a confidentiality agreement, it’s our government officials ignoring their sworn oaths to protect and preserve the U.S. Constitution.
This has to stop … else it’s Turkey for America.
As always, comments welcome.
Jay Fenello
www.fenello.com