Anyone who thinks that it is impossible for a state to attack itself or its own people for political gain either does not know their history or is simply in denial.
Since the dawn of civilization, our rulers have done their utmost to retain and increase their own wealth and power, whilst striving to keep the population in check.
The methods employed usually involved the invokation of fear amongst the masses. Either the fear of eternal damnation or the fear that some nutter is gowing to blow you up as you travel to work.
And, for those who believe that this could not possibly happen in a progressive, democratic society such as our own should look at the rise of the Third Reich. Germany was one of the most liberal democracies in the world until Hitler came along.
There is a blueprint for dictators and it IS being used.
Has anyone heard of Operation Northwoods?
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Northwoods
And the de-classified document itself:
www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/news/20010430/northwoods.pdf