I am teaching PS-201, Introduction to American Government, at NC State this fall. I want to illustrate the way government uses “smoke and mirrors” to fool the public into believing that government is all-powerful and can solve all of their problems. What better way to illustrate this concept than to show the clip from the movie “The Wizard of Oz” where the term originated?

I googled it and found this incredible use of the concept. USA.gov, “The U.S. Governmnt’s Official Web Portal,” created a public service announcement using the clip with this truly Orwellian twist.

In fact, government can solve all of your problems–give you an heart, send you back to Kansas, etc.–just go to www.USA.gov.?