These are tough times. The people in charge of America right now believe that the answer to these tough times is expanding the role of government. Conservatives believe, as Ronald Reagan so eloquently put it that government is not the solution, it is the problem.

That got us thinking of two great novels that explored government as "the solution"- "1984" by George Orwell, and "Brave New World" by Aldous Huxley. Both books were extrapolations of what the authors could glean from the societies that they lived in. The extrapolations were chilling.

"1984" was the harsh totalitarianism - a police state relying on fear and repression. There were "little" wars fought for economic reasons in faraway lands that no one cared about. Print media (there was no internet then) was constantly being updated to reflect the new truth. Surveillance was everywhere. "Newspeak" sought to convey language in the least "offensive" way, and words did not necessarily reflect their traditional meaning. Sometimes they were the complete opposite. Sound familiar?

"Brave New World" dealt with the soft oppression of socialism, where those in charge knew what was best, made those decisions for all, and gave the illusion of freedom to the population.The societal emphasis was on attaining pleasure, and keeping society running smoothly. "Soma", a pleasure inducing drug, was used daily. Sort of reminds us of the glut of anti-depressants we consume in this country. Birth control drills were a part of the school curriculum, promiscuity was promoted, groupthink was the norm. A healthy lifestyle was promoted, and emphasis was made on keeping up a personal youthful appearance. There are pieces of this going on as well.

We find it interesting that both books speak to today's situation. Are we in danger of becoming either or both of these fictional societies? Have we already become them?

There are some striking similarities. Would we, as a people, be so accepting of survellance cameras everywhere prior to 9-11? Intrusive body searches for no good reason?

We look at the media outlets reporting the news. We find speculation reported as fact, and opinion taking the place of reporting. Generally it sides with the powers that be. In other countries that would be, as Rush has dubbed it, "state run media". The news is constantly updated with new "facts" that often contradict yesterday's story. This was especially true in the coverage of the Arab Spring uprisings, and the Gadaffi soap opera.

We are engaging enemy combatants in eight countries now - little "economic" wars? They certainly have not had much purpose lately other than to keep the military suppliers busy, and placing our troops in harm's way with no discernible policy guiding them. Yes, we have a good amount of  "1984" going. Just no "thoughtcrime" yet - but it's being worked on...

How about "Brave New World"? - a vapid, self-absorbed society obsessed with personal pleasure and surface appearance.The population is easily distracted and compliant to directives because the experts "know better". They are more concerned with entertainment than education or achievement. It is a society that looks to the government to provide their happiness, rather than to looking inside. We see that in our society as well. Zuccotti Park is infested with it.

We, as a people, are coming to the same realization as the heroes of both novels - the sense that something just isn't right, and it hasn't been right for a long time. In many ways, it is how Obama became President. We knew things weren't right in 2008, and Obama talked a better game than McCain. Enough people bought in to it and here we are now. Things are REALLY not right.

The benefit of the mistake of electing Obama is that we have opened our eyes. We are not going to just blindly pick someone offering "hope" and "change". We want to make sure that we pick someone to make things right. It explains why we are not upset by the carnage in the GOP field. We're having a fight among friends to see who can take on Obama and come out on top. Tough times require a tough leader. The next guy up is going to need to be tough - not a prickly little pouting child.

Toughness is why the field is shifting - why Cain is still around and viable, why Newt is rising in the polls. It was why Perry started strong, and he still may find his footing. Then there's Mitt - for all of the shots taken at him, no one seems to muss up his hair. He's tough, whether you like him or not. Obama is going to let all hell loose on whoever our nominee is. Our pick will need to withstand it, fight back and win. We need to clear the field of the wusses.

So, are we destined to fall in to the societies depicted in either book? We think not. America has an advantage that no other country has. It is the first country founded on the principle that individual liberty trumps government control - right up to the point where your liberty infringes on mine. We understand that our side has the answers to what ails America right now. We need to get through the nomination and put up a candidate who is tough enough to turn back the Brave New World.

RLB