The system keeps threatening the hammer, hoping that alone will quiet it's many detractors and dissidents, yet instead of fear all they see is a cacophony of scoffs, cheers, laughter, and different permutations of "bring it on!". Not a good position for an elite whose power is overwhelming soft in nature and contingent entirely upon mass compliance. At this point the only thing saving their asses is the first mover disadvantage, and the way things are going they'll lose that too sooner rather than later.