The "slowly at first" slide was the last 35-40 years in the US -- possibly even longer. But, as the fascists now feel empowered to run around in public and drag away dissenters at their rallies, the "all at once" stage is definitely now in full swing. Don't make the mistake of relying on the old order -- liberal laws and politicians and the fourth estate -- to put the genie back in the bottle. There will be no term limits. There will be no free elections. No 'checks and balances'.