Freedom House released their worldwide survey of freedom on Jan. 16,2008 and all indications are that freedom is on the decline. Their annual survey of political rights and civil liberties worldwide, reflects a reversals in one-fifth of the world's countries.

According to Freedom House, "South Africa’s political rights rating declined from 1 to 2 due to the ruling ANC’s growing monopoly on policy making and its increasingly technocratic nature."

South Africa Scores:
Political Rights Score: 2
Civil Liberties Score: 2
Status: Free

USA Scores:
Political Rights Score: 1
Civil Liberties Score: 1
Status: Free

Interestingly the USA rates as 1 and yet pass laws like the USA PATRIOT Act ( Uniting and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct Terrorism) (I wonder which policy maker was paid to come up with this acronym) This act enables law enforcement agencies to search telephone, e-mail communications, medical, financial and other records. It allows for the indefinite detentions of immigrants; "sneak and peek" searches through which law enforcement officers search a home or business without the owner’s or the occupant’s permission or knowledge, most of this can all be done without a court order.(Wikipedia)
Sounds like SA pre 1994!

Isn't the USA becoming more of a police state than a democracy - maybe a policed democracy?