Let’s see, what shall we do when sci-fi movies become reality TV?

A bit of fiction to entertain you: Let’s set the stage, shall we? Imagine a USA where the government is all-powerful. Not much of a stretch so far.

Now imagine that all the citizens are calm and behave themselves. They don’t cause any fuss, they don’t advertise their personal feelings, they don’t write their feelings down, they don’t complain to their elected officials (after all they didn’t really GET the leaders they elected). Everything is peaceful and quiet.

Why are these citizens so lamb-like?

Because if they become restless, they are imprisoned, have their homes taken from them, or get fired and can’t feed their family.

Why imprisoned? Because they are speaking out against the government and thus are a threat to national security. Think Patriot Act and Son of Patriot.

Why have their homes taken? Because if the Government’s corporate arm wants the land, they have that right. (That’ll keep them quiet!) Read up on Kelo vs. New London.

Why get fired? Because they work for the government, a subsidiary company with government interests, or a company with ties to the government. Learn more about government official’s links to corporate America and how lobbyists really operate.

Hmmm. And how does this omnipotent government keep tabs on this feeble citizenry? They become omniscient. They scan emails, listen to phone calls, install cameras and watch every move. Sounding a bit too familiar? Feeling uncomfortable yet?

Hmmm. And suddenly we recall some of the sci fi reading we did in our high school English class … and start thinking terms like “big brother” and “1984″ don’t we? Humph. Isn’t it interesting how something so far fetched and fictional becomes so near to the reality in a few short years. Funny, I say, in the sense of extremely odd, not the entertaining “ha-ha” belly-laugh variety.

So, how long will it be until we aren’t even permitted the “illusion” of land ownership and personal freedom? How long before we aren’t allowed to work for ourselves or be “self sufficient?” How long before we become merely the drones, the worker bees for the hive of the government machine? Not long, I’d say. Not long.

Ok, I’m mad. The most recent Supreme Court decision that corporate America has more right to my property than I do makes me, well, pissy. And, trust me when I say this is the “g-rated” version of how I feel. My language and content have been watered down to the point you can see through them. What’s not crystall clear, in fact what’s murky as hell, is how this type of thing can be done.

Quoting from the fifth amendment:

No person shall be… deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Uh-huh, but the Supreme Court disagrees: (http://www.supremecourtus.gov/) – see the “recent decisions” section on “Kelo vs. New London” for the June 23rd decision. Now, it seems, if there is a better use for any land (meaning it makes more money for the government through increased taxes) they can take it. Period.

Our rights are being eroded. I’ve blogged about my concerns about privacy and our right to it in the past. Now, it’s not just our privacy and the right to bear arms (which I support, although I don’t get all self-righteous about it — yet.)

The social security number issue and the fact that it IS our national ID number makes me crazy. The amount of our personal information that flows out the cracks of corporate America and the government itself, makes me nuts. And now this! What ever happened to personal freedom and small “essentials only” forms of government? Why do we support a land-snatching tyrant?

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always felt that the beauty of the farm was more than I deserved, and that I could never really “own” it – but considered myself more of a caretaker. But this philosophy is between me and my God – it should not be between me and “my” government.

And now, after all the work I’ve done, the sacrifices I’ve made to carve out my own little piece of heaven on the farm — I find out that if a “better” use for it can be determined — a corporate use — then my farm can be taken by the government and handed over to a developer, and there’s nothing I can do? If another use of MY land can contribute more to the government’s pockets via taxes, then I don’t have a right to it anymore?

This is OK?

Ohhhhh noooooo. It most certainly is NOT. This is BS. I’d like to blog and rant some more about this, but I need to go write my public officials — you remember them, the people we elect to take care of our best interests? Well I hope you remember them, because obviously they don’t remember us.

They have done a FINE job thusfar, Ehhh?

I’m off to write letters now. I advise any of you who own land now, or ever plan to own land in the future, do the same.