A totalitarian regime is about control. Sure, that comes with some imprisonment, torture and murder and these will continue to occur throughout the regime's lif

A totalitarian regime is about control. Sure, that comes with some imprisonment, torture and murder and these will continue to occur throughout the regime's lifetime, but they are merely tools they use to achieve their goals. And while they're effective tools, they are rarely applied at scale, for the simple reason that if too many people are dead or imprisoned this will be both counter-productive and risky for the regime. Purges notwithstanding, of course. Instead the tools they apply at scale are fear and indoctrination, to the point that the people aren't sure any more what is sane, right, just. To the point that even if they manage to keep their sanity, their spirit is broken and wouldn't dare question the status quo even with their friends or family. This is the great sin and corruption of tyranny, it smothers free thinking, the mind and the soul. Modern totalitarian governments have become even smarter and only use physical violence surgically, instead relying on other subtler measures. Which brings me to my point: you're now relaxed and confident because no one's imprisoning or killing people for their opinions. They're only getting fired, having their reputations or businesses destroyed, etc. You're focusing on the tools instead of the effects - people are being confused and unsure about what it means to be a good person and they're afraid to express their thoughts. I doubt that Americans will be facing Soviet Union conditions anytime soon, but you're on the path of having free thinking squeezed out of you and this is why many of us are alarmed.