For tyranny to be efficient it must exist inside your own mind and force you to tyrannise yourself. Externally enforced tyranny is too work extensive to be profitable.

I laugh to myself about how inept and non-threatening of an enemy the US federal government is at this point.

Spread way too thin with enemies on every corner of the planet. Corrupt to the core. Disjointed. Deeply indebted and no ability to ever pay down debts meaningfully. And as you point out massively inefficient in action.

Wonder how long they can stay afloat.