I would argue we're already there. There are no longer any real sense of checks and balance within our government system. We have a country that is essentially moving to the right unopposed due to a compliant democratic party with the help of the forth estate. With the introduction of the next extreme right leaning supreme court justice they will become virtually unstoppable to start turning back laws to protect us. With slightly over half the country still divided in party biased division mindlessly and blissfully stuck in another sense of complacency. Which is holding back the independents and more progressive population from achieving their sense of checks and balance. We as a nation are virtually in the same realm of that in which our climate is in. A point to except what will come due to no change suffering the consequences. We are simply mere years away from being like another 3rd world country where a people are gunned down and slaughtered for protesting for rights and equality.

@William_Mary . I disagree. I believe that there is still some fight left in our country and the better half will rally its forces to counter the power of the incumbent racist regime since seeing what might be in store if we don't act.

@OldGoat43 I hope you're right. But if the reactions, ummm, none reactions of the 2016 election cycle are an indication to your thought, it isn't showing me that. Those of us that spoke against both those candidates, Trump and Clinton, throughout the primaries was like us speaking to a brick wall. The circus of 21 republican candidates was our first warning that that primary was rigged. As the media constantly gave free air time to Trump we spoke out loudly about a fix being in. And the actions of the democratic party and the DNC later acknowledging they used the media to propel him to the front proved our concerns. That play book was planed well before the primaries even began. You can't convince me the national party of the republicans is so out of whack that they would allow 21 candidates to openly create a circus like that without an agenda at hand. We also warned that the republican show of discontent for Trump was a charade. He was the perfect opportunity to advance exactly what is going on today. Sanders was merely an opponent they thought Clinton could easily beat with the socialist tag on him. Assuring a win over the blunder she went through with Obama. Little did they realize there were hoards of progressives waiting in the back ground for their chance to make a difference. Or republicans lost in a party they no longer relate to. So they had to rig that part of the primaries also. They didn't care who won actually in the end. As long as it wasn't Sanders who would put a speed bump on the agenda. Clinton's policies would have moved the country to the right again also. Maybe not so hard, but still the same, as did Obama. More so under Clinton though. Follow the money of the most wealthy. That money made an interesting presidential campaign. All for show with virtually the same results for those wealthy no matter who came out on top. And the show which is an illusion, today keeps the 2 party sheep divided and fighting.

@William_Mary At least the report will raise the issue to the point of public scrutiny and criticism. When it comes to Mr. T's tweets, everyone knows they're way off Reason.