George Orwell's book, "1984" was first published in 1949.  At that time, 1984 sounded like a very distant time, and no one knew what  might befall mankind as the history of governance continued to play out.  I read the book in approximately 1968 and was greatly impacted by it, so much moreso than the usual books a 9th-grader reads.  I have just finished reading it again, in May of 2009.  The impact has not dwindled.  As a matter of fact, it is more timely now than it was then, and just as full of warnings.  Agreed, it is an extreme scenario, but , "Look around you", and observe the disturbing similarities of the nation of "Oceania", and our own country, with the whirlwind of freedom-stealing power-plays being foisted on Americans by the current Liberal Administration, with the mainstream media and out-of-touch celebrities in tow.
In 1984, the functional world is divided into 3 nations - Oceania, Eurasia, and Eastasia.  These are conglomerations made up of past nations.  At all times, Oceania is at war with one of them, and is an ally of the other.  The war is continuous.  Its purpose is political.
Today's "Politically Correct" terms, which even politicians of the highest rankings use, are not so different in some ways to "Newspeak", the official language of Oceania.  Our culture is expected to accept such terms as "Manmade Disasters" for terrorist attacks, "Rainforest" for jungle, "Undocumented Worker" for illegal alien, and we are told that certain Welfare checks paid to persons not paying any taxes to begin with, are "Tax Rebates" or "Refunds".  We are not stupid, but we are expected to swallow whatever tripe the government hands us.  In Oceania in 1984, the official language, "Newspeak" has as its entire aim, to "narrow the range of thought".  Not to believe every word the Government says, is a felony punishable by death.  The Thought Police watch day and night and even children spy on their own parents to make sure no crimes against the government go undetected.  Do you think we have no Thought Police today in the United States?  Then tell me how we can have "Hate Crimes"?  Until recently, if you assaulted a human being, you were prosecuted for what you did.  Now, with the new "Hate Crimes" laws, you can be prosecuted more severely, based on what you were thinking.  If you are perceived to have attacked someone because of a particular trait the person has, such as race, gender, or sexual orientation, then your punishment can be more severe than if you just attacked the person because you were angry, seeking revenge, trying to rob the person, or whatever.  The attack is no more or less severe, but the punishment is.  Based on your thoughts.  Thought Police.
In Oceania, the citizens are divided into three economic levels, the High, the Middle, and the Low.  This corresponds directly with their connection to the governing body.  Inner Party members - High.  Outer Party members - Middle.  Proletariat (the great unwashed masses) - Low.  What do we hear today in the way of class membership?  The Wealthy, The Middle Class, and The Poor. 
What is the greatest enemy of Freedom in Oceania?  The huge, pervasive government.  What is the greatest enemy and looming threat to Freedom in America?  The constantly growing, pervasive government. 
What is the end result of allowing government to run wild, unchecked, taking control of every aspect of our lives?  Read "1984".