There is a mental component to the power structure, and that's the first place they aim for to hoodwink people into believing in the system, but there is also a very real physical component to their power structure. I define freedom as the ability to do any ethical thing you wish without asking permission in any form. By this definition, there's not a single shred of freedom in modern American society- you cannot take ANY significant action without permits, licenses, laws, rules, regulations, etc, unless you want to risk a very violent reaction against you. Try to live freely, as a peaceful anarchist, and you'll have your property stolen and be kidnapped and locked in a cage. I've been there... it wasn't fun; that's when I decided my up-front, refuse to comply approach perhaps wasn't going to work.

As a general rule, governments never give up power. They always seek to gain more over time, and gradually become more and more oppressive until the people become so sick of it that they revolt. Unfortunately, nobody has ever broken this cycle and emerged with a free, anarchistic society. That's not to say we shouldn't try, but even if we revolt and return the government to a minimalistic, constitutional republic, we have made huge progress toward ensuring an at least *mostly* free society.

Logistically, there are always options available to subvert a tyrannical government. Due to the massive power advantage they have, open conflict is suicide, so a more subtle, stealthy approach is in order. The media war is also almost unwinnable, and that's where they control the people- television, radio, newspapers, magazines, etc... it's all designed to destroy the free-thinking mind and bring the sheeple into slavery. I appreciate the brave individuals offering alternative news to tell us what's really going on, but they cannot keep up with the torrent of ignorance. But, no matter how bleak things may look, there are always options, always choices, always a risk-reward ratio. Direct confrontation is possible in small engagements with sufficient planning and strategy. History is full of small groups effecting massive changes in society. It's all in how you play the game.

I was asking Vlad

wow. you definitely play different playstation games than I do.

"They hate us because we are not a part of their collective"

So your answer is yes.

If you haven't heard yet, they hate us because of this government's incessant meddling in the affairs of nations on the other side of the world. It would be nice to stop doing this.


"They are still a very tribal us vs. them society"

Are you able to see the irony in this statement?

Well, I have to agree with you. The only hope is if the military does the right thing. A guy with a Deer rifle has little chance against an infantry squad with night vision.

However, I do think that if resources get tight and the dollar continues its slide and inflation hits 1000%, the government will cease to exist as we know it, and local governments will become the authorities to worry about. And 100 guys with a deer rifles can be a force to be reckoned with, especially when put up against some local government goons.

If it all goes to shit, the military will be too busy to be everywhere at once. An army is a formidable thing, but when you spread it too thin, and the radios are broken, and the re-supply is late and there's no more diesel fuel, and you're surrounded by pissed off hillbillies and hooligans, well, all bets are off.