Most governments control people. This has been the case throughout history. Proponents of Big Government used different nomenclatures to describe their ideal system, but they all have the single overriding characteristic: centralizing power in government. Socialism, fascism, communism, feudalism, monarchies, dictatorships, theocracies, oligarchies, et al. concentrate power in the state. The underlying political theology is irrelevant. In each and every case, the individual is subject to control by the state. It doesn't matter who orders you about. It could be a king, emperor, dictator, party general secretary, or elected machine politician. The result is the same. You do as you're told. You're a serf, plain and simple.
Occasionally, people control government. This is rare. ... Our freedom depends on We the People controlling our government and not the other way around. Freedom is a precious commodity — so rare that few in history have experienced it. As Ben Franklin put it so succinctly, the real question is whether we can keep it.
