This article points out the 10 steps necessary to close an open society, and it seems that with H.R. 1955: Violent Radicalization and Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act of 2007, the 9th step of Dissent = Treason is finally coming to fruition, with this new act labeling US citizens as terrorists if they have "an extremist belief."
http://tinyurl.com/29x74m