"WE ARE A FASCIST NATION NOW."

This is a quote from Jesse Ventura, former professional wrestler and governor of Minnesota, when talking about the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) xray and pat down procedures at airports.

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/07/23/former-governor-jesse-ventura-were-a-fascist-nation-now/

I don't know about Fascist, but intrusion on privacy and our person, here is an example, like the many TSA examples, related to fear and security, plus the large, mysterious corporate take over from small business.  My air emission tests used to be at my local garage where I knew the mechanic and he knew me.  Now air emissions are checked in a large corporate facility. They, whoever They are, probably made generous campaign contributions and lobbied to get laws passed in their favor to get the contract.

Have you had a chance to go thru the car emissions center? Interesting experience!!  A Gestapo like process, same conclusion as one of my neighbors.  Make sure you follow their strict rules for leaving and returning to your car, or their rath will fall upon you.  Stay in the long hallway and don't cross the yellow line until you are called.  Make sure you remember what car you came in, because it is their personal call to you--not your name.  They are careful to have you return to your car, sit inside with your door closed and your window open, before they tell you whether you pass or fail. They approach as a police officer would, I guess, in case you turn violent. But, be careful. You are on camera.

The center is loaded with security cameras, probably to watch employees as well as "threatening customers." Not that we want to be customers. If you want to comment on their "service" you have to include your Vehicle ID number. Why?  Are we marked then as trouble makers and someone hunts us down?

I gave the cameras the one finger salute when I left-- four times for 2 cars.  The cars both failed.  Gas caps didn't pass the pressure test.  Were there gas caps nearby?  No.  I had to burn more gas driving to buy a new one than I would have leak fumes for years.  Then you go back thru the same procedure as if you had not been there before.  I am lucky. They didn't fail again.  Funny thing, the new gas caps, probably made in China, look like they could only last a few days before they crack and fall apart. Quality?  Not anymore.

The company, AIRCARECOLORADO, (Isn't that a wonderfully environmentally sensitive name?) connected with Envirotest System Corp., is a subsidiary of Environmental Systems Products, Inc. They are under contract to the State of Colorado, and, of course, they are an out of state company.  One of their low paid employees (who couldn't find a better job after being laid off in his 50"s) told me that the company is from Connecticut.  Good for the Colorado economy!!!  Low paid jobs and the profits go elseware.

I just called ESP's customer service line to hear a recording that said I should go to their website ESP-global.com.  Maybe they are located in another country.  All the better for the US economy.

Fascist example?  If not, it's a step closer.