Very true. The old adage of divide and conquer has been replaced with combine and rule with impunity.

Yes - Martyrdom is an ad hominem of stance!

True - It's herd-mindedness!

Collectivist's will use any, control of populace ploy, as a thin edge of the wedge to impose further restrictions on populations.
Starting with anti-smoking legislation; progressing to anti-gun ownership and drug laws which privately owned prisons have a vested interest in.