The first thing you do to serfs is limit their mobility.

[arbusto_baboso]

Now, I'm not saying that the following things I will outline were even planned, much less a conspiracy. But they DO work to further the interests of the corporate powers.

What do you do when you are attempting to create an underclass? Serfs, if you will? Besides limiting incomes and civil liberties, you must also restrict the ability to freely travel. And isn't that being done.

First, you'll notice that ever since the inception of the TSA and its insanely restrictive "security precautions", airports are much less busy places, for the most part. Many other factors also go into this, but you see my point.

Second, there are gas prices. Yes, the primary motive of oil companies is simply to make as much money as possible. But to them, there is a secondary salutary effect in that it limits the ability of the working class to be mobile within and without regions of the country.

Why does this matter? A less mobile population will take any crappy job for any bargain-basement wage, because they can't afford to go anywhere else.

I knew several people in the 90s who would commute daily or weekly by air between the Salt Lake Valley and Los Angeles. That has ceased entirely. The jobs they had are now gone, and even if they remained, they'd no longer be able to afford the commute.

That's how you make serfs.

[leftstreet]

1. Fewer people can afford to fly, buy gas, plan trips n/t

[leveymg]

2. That's also how you make Microserfs. Make us all take crappy telecommuting jobs with no stability

or benes. We're all subcontractors working in pajamas in our basements now.

No expectations of any long-term commitments from the Lords living in the Cloud. Don't even mention pensions.

[canoeist52]

3. 'Why do they not want us to fly?" was my first thought when

the TSA scanning and pat-down regulations started. I agree with your reason.

[arbusto_baboso]

4. Precisely. You can have more secure flights without all the hassle.

But someone wants the hassle, for some reason. And we're far from being more secure when we fly.

[CoffeeCat]

5. And also, the media coverage of the TSA...

...was so pointed. Usually travesties and injustices are covered up. Look at BP.
The coverage of that horrendous disaster slipped off the radar, and the continuing
damage and suffering has been blacked out. Look at the lack of coverage on Wisconsin.
You have to read DU or other left-leaning sites to see and read the truth.

But the TSA scam. Oh boy, so much coverage!

I said this earlier--the powers that be who control the media--wanted us to realize
that the TSA would abuse you and treat you like you were a criminal--if you decided to fly.

BTW--Does anyone know if first-class passengers are treated differently when it comes
to the TSA or these screenings? I can't imagine how that would work, because everyone
has to go through security. However, I have yet to see a millionaire or
someone who was flying first class--report of these abuses. It's always the little old
ladies, and middle class people who have been subjected to this nonsense.

When I went through airport security, there was an "SS" on my ticket--something I'd never
seen before. And I had to endure the in-depth screening--taking my shoes off, being felt
up under the wire of my bra...in front of everyone.

[Riftaxe]

6. So your blaming Obama and his oil cronies?

I am all for recycling old arguments, but really now? Seriously?

[arbusto_baboso]

9. What? Huh? Where did you get that from my OP?

[LanternWaste]

7. I would think the first thing to do is limit communication...

I would think the first thing to do is limit communication. Ideas, philosophies, movements, etc may in the here and now, more effectively "gather" via the electronic medium than physically.

[arbusto_baboso]

10. Sure. Get rid of Net Neutrality.

Wait a minute...

[LanternWaste]

13. What is the precise & relevant effect...

What is the precise & relevant effect that NN would have on online social activities?

Yet, if NN was indeed the first step, it appears to preclude limiting physical travel as the first step... :shrug:

[arbusto_baboso]

14. Okay, admittedly I shouldn't have listed anything as a "first step".

Things seem to be happening haphazardly and without any clear pattern.

Which is why I stated that it doesn't appear to be planned or a conspiracy. It's just that each individual right rankles on some segment of the PTB, so one by one, they are being limited.

[jtown1123]

15. Sadly, the net is the only way we can still find relevant unbiased info.

[LanternWaste]

16. Relevant, I would agree with.

Relevant, I would most certainly agree with.

Unbiased... not so much.

[The2ndWheel]

8. If it wasn't planned, and it's not a conspiracy

Then why does it have to work to apparently only further corporate interests?

If it wasn't planned, and it's not a conspiracy, wouldn't a very mobile population also work to further corporate interests?

[arbusto_baboso]

11. No, it wouldn't.

[Vinee]

12. immediately following that, you disarm them. nt