Related threads in the past couple of days:
Do police have the right to confiscate your camera?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-bloggers/2171950/posts
Question on requirement to present ID to police officer
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2171229/posts
May I see your papers, Citizen?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2158293/posts
Thanks for those links. What we are seeing is a reaction to the increase of lawlessness. Our Republic is founded upon the assumption that the people in it are moral and law abiding. Today, most still are, to some extent. Many are not.
However, the consensus about how we are to conduct ourselves is breaking down, voluntary compliance is decreasing, and disorder is increasing. Our most basic right (to life) is constantly under attack, whence flows all manner of evil.
The net result is ever more force imposed across the board to maintain order and protect the public. Many of us are clamoring for more of that.
I do not see the trend reversing itself any time soon.
Self ping to check out your links. Thanks for posting them.