I was in St. Paul and was witness to the massive repression. The Republicans in effect rented the St. Paul police and other agencies by funding the insurance. I'm convinced that the many repressive laws that have recently been passed were in preparation to the coming economic and environmental crises. As things deteriorate the system must rely more and more on the military and the police (who have been effectively militarized through "anti-terrorism" funding). Things are going to get much worse.