It may be that we are witnessing the end of the Great Experiment, those in charge having decided it was a failure... what with all that freedom, rights, due process, and all the rest of the things that keep tyrants up at night.
But seriously, what if we are actually witnessing the final moments of the republic, all philosophizing aside? God knows it has its flaws in abundance, but what other place has allowed for this degree of freedom and opportunity? The end is going to be a very sad day, the only likely satisfaction being to live long enough to see the turn from gloating gloriation (yes, I decided to make that word up... sue me) to stunned disbelief, and finally to death rattles as all those who have hoped so hard for this result realize what they have done to themselves. On that day I will be in my glory as I watch them go to destruction in freakish agony. No, I am not joking on that last bit, either. Such is my disdain for stoopid, corrupt, cowardly people.