I consider the US institutions that govern us strong enough to keep our
nation relatively free (or at least freer than most) for now, but learning
that there really was a serious attempt by conservative businessmen to
overthrown our government during a time of major weakness just shows
it could really happen.

It doesn't have to happen in one fell swoop. It can happen if we keep
letting our economy and other institutions erode away and have to be
"rescued" by the government until they control pretty much all major
facets of life - then what?

I hope it is all just a paranoid fantasy. But keeping quiet or making others
feel like they are foolish for worrying is a sure way to let the bad guys
slip in and take over. And you know there are plenty of people who
would just love to become the next Hitler or Napoleon.