Yes, it is a Gestapo, a Stasi, a Savak, a DINA, but it dwarfs all of them in size and capability.  Coupled with private contractors, the absolutely deniable militia groups, their herds of zombified Fox guzzlers, and the technical marvels of AI searches, modern surveillance, thought-monitoring, communications disruption, weapons, etc.., it creates a force for repression unseen in human history. And the funny thing is that these systems are being built to destroy us using our own taxes.

We must unite, but unity requires communication, and the communication systems are all childishly easy to flood with misdirection. Our fellow citizen's minds are already overwhelmed with sorting out the lies and the truths, and AI is about to supercharge propaganda delivery. Climate change and disease loom as we gut our sciences, as our scientists and researchers flee. So, as the sergeant who greeted my grandfather to the Battle of Tsingtao said to him, "We're all dead, so enjoy yourself. Just take as many as you can with you when it's time."