Edward Snowden fled the country and risked his own life to expose our government's Orwellian spying and constant, widespread privacy violations. He revealed to the world that nearly every major telecom, corporation, and method of digital communication is illegally being bulk collected by the NSA. Not just criminals, but you, me, everyone else- and not just here, but throughout many countries abroad too.

What was our government's response? The Nixonian crooked politician go-to of deny, deny, deny. They charged him with three felonies, including two under the Espionage Act- a 1917 statute enacted to criminalize dissent against World War I- while claiming the NSA's programs are essential because "anti-terrorism". But nothing changed, nothing got resolved, and our "leaders" still accumulate all data.

Julian Assange created Wikileaks to give whistleblowers a safe outlet for revealing concealed injustice. This year alone, he has helped expose how the Democratic party- while continually claiming impartiality and ethical behavior- actually did quite the opposite. Hillary has not legitimately won anything; the "race" was rigged, biased in every conceivable way to beat the more popular populist candidate.

What was our government's response? President Obama endorsed her even before the vote counting in California was complete, claiming she "may be the most qualified candidate ever." The FBI gave her a bizarre complete free pass on a multitude of ethical and protocol violations- even when it was proven she and her staff destroyed evidence after being subpoenaed. She's now likely our next President.

Bernie Sanders challenged the entire establishment and all typical political protocol by running a grass-roots, people-funded campaign based on honesty, equality, and empowering the masses with knowledge. He raised awareness that our government is now run by greed- how media, corporations, legislation, taxes, and 'trade agreements' all serve the few rich at the expense of the many perpetually poor.

What was our government's response? Again, absolutely nothing. A few of the lesser, more token principles of his FDR-esque platform were grudgingly added to the non-binding DNC / Hillary agenda- all while refusing proper union representation at the meetings. The infotainment redirection and propaganda have increased, and institutionalized poverty continues to line the pockets of the ruling class.

Let me be quite clear here: we have no representative government. We are ruled by a totalitarian wealthy regime who pulls the strings of their various sponsored puppets. We do not have freedom; we merely enjoy the illusion of it until we are no longer compliant and useful. We no longer have democracy; just an antiquated, conveniently over-complicated hijacked system turned 100% pay-to-play.

America is the most subversively corrupt, dangerous, and successful terrorist threat worldwide. Under various provably fraudulent excuses, our country is constantly engaging in violent conflicts (war by another name), profitably manufacturing and selling weapons indiscriminately, thus racking up increasing death tolls that make Adolf Hitler's cruel Nazi death machine frankly look like amateur hour.

So when someone talks about waiting and hoping that the 2020 election can bring changes, or obsesses about inane headlines of skewed infotainment until they lose all larger perspective, or buys into the establishment's own 'lesser evil' plan of Republican-disguised-as-Independent pro-corporate, pro-TPP Gary Johnson- I see our dismal fate sealing simply because everyone remains so ignorant, so asleep.

But we are being taxed, while not in any form being truly represented. Those sworn to do so have proven repeatedly they have no ethics, no accountability, and will not uphold their oaths of office. Any means of civic voice and action- from being a delegate, to pursuing legal justice- have been incrementally placed behind paywalls, while our growing widespread poverty ensures we can never utilize them.

America has three choices. The first is the path we're currently on- continued apathetic exploitation, until we have surrendered everything to this fascist police-state corporate feudalism. The second is full scale revolution- a messy, destructive, and now an intentionally imbalanced affair. The last option is fortunately a historically effective one- organized, widespread civil activism until real changes occur.

As a student of history and an intellectual pacifist, I recommend the latter. You may have noticed, steps are already being taken to manipulate, limit and disrupt our connectivity through social media channels. And yes, it will take some patriotic effort and bravery- but not anything remotely close to what the three principled, heroic individuals I began this piece with have already given to our country and cause.

Individually we feel powerless, weak, and vulnerable. But when we all stand together, nobody is alone. Those who were lucky enough to go to a Bernie rally know what I'm talking about- the power and joy of true unity for the greater good. So if you feel as I do, that American "freedom" has nothing to do with drone bombing fellow humans, sponsoring elite injustice, or mass control and deception- then rise up, NOW.

Because in a country run by terrorists, FDR's historic words ring more true than ever: The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.

#EnoughisEnough #NoMoreWar #OligarchyEndsNow