Yes I do believe it is a serious threat. Look at the IRS scandals. CriticizeObama andthe IRS suddenly is all over you. You don;t have to do it to everyone. Pweople see what happens to those who stand up and suddenly there is a big chilling effect.
Look at what happened to Scott Walker's supporters in Wiscosin. it is an involved story, but basically they have these Stalinesque laws which give the prosecutors, who just happen to be left wing democrats, incredible power to subject people to secret investigations. My understanding is they sent our SWAt teams in the middle of the night to people's houses and basically ransacked them and hauled off computers etc. Under these laws, the targets are not allowed to say anything, so it is a giant secret proceeding that the ordinary citizen has no power to fight. Finally a federal judge put a stop to it after years of harrassment.
Look at the prosecutions of numerous promising republicans on largely bogus charges. Bob McConnell is going to prison for basically having a party for a supporter. Can you imagine how many years Clinton would get if they applied the same standard to democrats? Rick Perry was charged with a felony for demanding that a drunk resign as DA. Tom DELay was number two in the House and got charged with a bogus campaign finance charge by the same office. Hegot off on appeal but hsi career was ruined. Mission accomplished.
If they can do that to powerful politicians, what chance does an ordinary citizen have?
