Let’s look at some sample conditions for a revolution:

- Perception of Authority Declining

- Financial Problems

- Loss of Prestige

- Using Force Improperly

- Recent Economic Improvement

- People Seeing Fortunes Improve, Then Seeing Them Dashed

- Loss of Intellectual Class

- Charismatic Leader

To some degree, we can see all of these (save for the last) in the United States today. Our country is going more and more into debt, a lot of us don’t have jobs, our perception of our leaders is declining. The dot-com boom gave us all a taste of economic improvement and prosperity. The decline has robbed that from us, and shown nothing but despair for many. The recent war in Iraq and the post-war debacle that has seen US servicemen and women killed on an almost daily basis is causing many to question whether or not it was and still is a good idea. Bush’s embarrassing incident with the false claims in the State of the Union (and given as justification for war) do not inspire the American people to trust their leaders.

Will a revolution occur and what will it entail? Will it just be the American people voting Bush out next November? To be certain, we can’t lay all the blame at his feet. However, many will attribute our economic problems to him, and there is a perception that his administration is doing little about it. I’m not sure when or how it will happen. But, the economic and political situation in the US is getting worse, and I doubt the American people will tolerate it forever.