I found Shakespeare’s Sister through this at Evil Mommy’s.

Nothing seems to matter to Americans until it directly affects them, and, by then, it’s almost always too late.

It hurts, because it’s true. Read the whole thing.

Then, go visit Mark, who sparked the entry, here’s a tidbit:

The death knell for our secular, balanced-power democracy will be sounded before a somnambulant, unconcerned, and flaccidly assenting silent majority. To pass off the final outrage, it will only be necessary to whip up the basest xenophobic terror. The Final Dismantling will be performed by bureaucrats promising liberty from a “new fascism” by imposing one. They will promise peace through war. They will promise freedom through arbitrary detention, and human rights through torture. They will label thoughtful discussion as treason, and careful analysis as unserious.

Sound familiar? That’s because most of their work is already done.

I try not to dwell on these things, because not only do they make me feel small and depressed, they scare the piss out of me thinking of what kind of world country we are leaving our children.

“Gee, kids, sorry about that. Remember all those things I’ve told you about? Like going places and wearing a t-shirt that said something unpopular, or writing a blog entry critical of one of our fearless leaders? Sorry you can’t do that anymore. Oh, sorry, my break’s over, I must return to my cell.”

Think it can’t happen? Think those in charge don’t want to discredit and sweep aside anyone who gets in their way? Then I dare say you haven’t been paying attention.