A false outlet of hope for beer gutted patriotards to fall into? Society falls apart but they give just enough "freedom" to keep the Kwans talking rather than acting because they still have even just a little bit to "lose" (at least in their minds).

On another note, is anyone sick to death as I am of hearing the phrase "the American people"? What America are people like Glenn Beck looking at? Those words have a certain evocation of imagery that just isn't there anymore. Gettin' laid and gettin' paid. That's what America is about, not about "freedom".