As a youth I recall doing a book report on George Orwell's, “1984.”

In this report I wrote, “These citizens are interesting. Like a frog failing to jump from a pan of water slowly heating to the boiling point, they don't notice they're losing freedoms as government grows.”

“Surely,” I wrote, “this couldn't happen here in America. Americans would notice if their elected officials put forth ideas and bills that restrict freedoms. We'd scream and holler then, as the frog failed to do, jump from that warming pan and boot those bums out of office!”

Anyone else notice the water's getting a little toasty?

No? Please explain what's been done and being discussed recently:

Capping salaries, private business take-overs (banks, autos, newspapers), health care, what you eat (have to keep health costs under control), what you should watch (definitely not Fox News), your right to own a gun, which car you should buy, the temperature your thermostat is set, your toilet paper usage, the light bulb you buy. This, just to name a few. They're now looking into more controls over the Internet!

I'm beginning to wonder if we really are smarter than that frog.

Phil Rilett
Indio