The Bigger They Are...

Well, I read the Watergate implications: www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/local/longterm/tours/scandal/watergat.htm, and I think the effect it had on the public was quite obvious. The effect it would have now would be even more catastrophic, I think.

See, no one stops to think about the amount of control our government has. It's very rare that someone sues the government, due to the popular notion that you "don't F with" Uncle Sam. People don't seem to be aware that people DO win against the (US) government, when there's precidence. Korimatsu v US, Brown v Board, those are just a few readily available examples.

However, the Government could control a lot of things, without us even knowing. Many of the complacent Americans just ate the spoonfed nonsense about communists being evil, and never questioned the government. They looked with derision at anyone who DID criticise the government, and never thought twice about the justness of governmental actions. It sure shook up those who followed without question to learn that they had contributed to an illegal surveillance and sabotage campaign, I bet.

As to what effect would come of it today? Well, first of all, I'm not sure we'd learn of it. People then were VERY sloppy. After all, there was only paper, then. Now, you can be silenced very quickly, via the interwebs. However, assuming we did learn of it, the effects would be global. Countries would lose whatever small faith they still hold in us, and while we wrangled with what we should do, it's possible another, less stagnant economic power *cough cough* (China) *cough*

could take our place as the most powerful. (What, you thought I'd say France? Get real.)