(Politics) Anti-Government Tip Lines, Political Unrest, and Armed Revolutions?

Amid the recent tragedies the past couple years – Newtown, Aurora, Boston – tensions concerning security have never been higher in the United States. Notwithstanding many terror threats that have led to increased security, the creation of the TSA, and numerous other government programs, it seems that the threat of terrorism never seems to cease. Nevertheless, many Americans are skeptical of such events which have led to a growing opposition of the current administration, the encroachment on civil liberties, and namely, the entire U.S. Government as a whole.

In fact, a recent Public Mind poll by Fairleigh Dickenson University reported that 29% of voting Americans favor an armed uprising against the United States government, and see such a revolution to be an ominous necessity. With the nail hammered in the coffin with the re-signing of the NDAA, PIPA, SOPA, and just recently CISPA, it seems the current administration is busy – they are actively engaged in slowly winnowing away at basic inalienable rights that are guaranteed to all citizens by the Bill of Rights. Although there is much politicking, as peace, security, and safety are continually being promised to American citizens, it seems everything coming from Washington is nothing more than hot air. Deceptively hot, in fact.

Moreover, a recent proposal in the Florida House and Senate had budgeted a million dollars for a new “prevention intervention” anonymous tip line. The project, which would be headed up by Sheriff Ric Bradshaw, is being designed to avoid future disasters such as Newtown and Aurora. Although the security tip line is supposed to grab the powder kegs before they explode, the spirit of the program is not different from the Red Scare and McCarthyism through the Cold War, or the National Socialist laws mandating it a requirement to report suspected neighbors that were anti-government or Jewish sympathizers. “We want people to call us if they guy down the street says he hates the government,” stated Sheriff Bradshaw, as he is encouraging local citizens to “report their neighbors, friends, or family.”

Although the proposal can still be rejected by the Governor, Rick Scott, who has power of the line-item veto, the very idea has many citizens in an uproar with various privacy concerns. Furthermore, the actual man-power to regulate such a passed proposal has not been allotted as there may not even be enough police on the force to deal with all such tips and complaints coming through the hotline. Nevertheless, these are all details which Sheriff Bradshaw is working through as of now. Regardless of the complaints, other locals see the benefit of such a security precaution and are applauding the government for such a valiant proposal. 

Although concerns about funding have been raised, namely, by Bob Sharp, CEO of the Florida Council for Community and Mental Health, the proposal certainly has the support by key necessary individuals: such a practical idea might prove to be highly effective, and is at the bottom line, harmless. “Does it hurt,” Bradshaw concluded, “to have somebody knock on a door and [simply] ask, ‘Hey is everything OK?’ “

The Carnage Report // http://thecarnagereport.blogspot.com // 2013

Brent McCulley on Twitter // http://twitter.com/brentthewalrus

Notes

[1] Poll: 29% of Registered Voters Believe Armed Revolution Might Be Necessary in Next Few Years. http://cnsnews.com/blog/gregory-gwyn-williams-jr/poll-29-registered-voters-believe-armed-revolution-might-be-necessary

[2] Palm Beach County sheriff gets $1 million for violence prevention unit amid questions about civil liberties, care for mentally ill. http://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/news/state-regional-govt-politics/bradshaw-gets-1-million-for-violence-prevention-un/nXbs4/