Point by point, chapter by chapter, America has followed in that direction. All of that has followed in American unchallenged corporate power, political rhetoric, stage-managed manipulation of public opinion, Orwellian subversion of words' meanings, all of this has happened. Before the books (first with this), lectures and film by Noam Chomsky on manufactured consent, Gross laid it out.
As Barack Obama has spoken and acted in his presidency, we have perpetuation of myths of American exceptionalism. He has used liberal rhetoric, but has acted as aggressively or worse in some areas than George W. Bush, in violating civil liberties, waging costly and deadly wars abroad. Collective action is necessary to challenge the direction of this kind politics and abuse of political power.
Take a look at this site giving very short, snappy selections from "Friendly Fascism," organized around chapters, such as this one on "Subverting Democratic Machinery."
The site author has a pithy, very appropriate quote for this age:
"As long as an economic system provides an acceptable degree of security, growing material wealth and opportunity for further increase for the next generation, the average American does not ask who is running things or what goals are being pursued." Daniel R. Fusfeld
In the age of Occupy Wall Street protests we see a populace no longer comfortable with the American economy. Thus, more people are upset with the status quo, are researching about it, and are taking action.
But buy and study the book, "Friendly Fascism." So much of what you observe today, you will find resonance in this book.
South End Press, reprinted, 1999. ISBN: 0896081494
The popular review link at goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/964350.Friendly_Fascism
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