I say things like "I don't agree with the current regime's actions."

That's always a good trigger. And then when you can work in the "Former American Republic" in the form of an acronym you have to explain "The F.A.R. means we'll have a diminishing quality of life" is just icing on the cake.

Joe is a regime leader, installed during a military occupation of the capitol, with only state media covering his speeches. Yep, ticks the boxes for the coming totalitarian actions...