TSA Abuse Opens the Door to Resistance

Old-Thinker News | November 18, 2010

By Daniel Taylor

September 11th, 2001 marked the beginning of a decade of fear and trembling, and the people of the United States were drawn to the ever expanding federal government for protection. Homeland Security was created and new security measures were imposed, both largely accepted by the populace. Today, nearly a decade after the tragic events of 9/11, resistance has been sparked by the outrageously intrusive security measures on part of the Transportation Security Administration.

The TSA's "enhanced patdowns", which have entailed putting hands down passengers pants, have caused wide-spread outrage. Airports are recognizing the extent of the discontent, as Florida's Sanford airport is opting out of TSA screening, choosing instead to use a private security firm.

Alexis de Tocqueville's study of history showed him that societies more often than not fall into tyranny. In his 1835 book Democracy in America, Tocqueville wrote, "A nation that asks nothing of government but the maintenance of order is already a slave in the depths of its heart; it is a slave of its well-being, ready for the man who will put it in chains."

The issue of TSA abuse is a high profile case of tyranny and debasement that is reminding the nation of this central truth which Tocqueville knew, that "...despotism corrupts the person who submits to it far more than the person who imposes it."

The widespread media attention to growing resistance against TSA abuse is showing America that they are not alone in their anger. The public is now asking; If government is willing to literally put its hands down your pants, what else is it capable of? Have we let government go too far elsewhere in our society? Should we be letting fusion centers collect information on Americans that have done nothing illegal?

The times are ripe for a peaceful revolution.